Claudia Retzer

Ashley, ND-Funeral service for Claudia Retzer, 101, of Ashley will be 10:30 am, Monday, December 14, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashley. Face coverings are required. Rev. David Irwin will officiate. The service will be live streamed and available at www.Carlsenfh.com under Claudia's obituary.
Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery at Ashley.
Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Claudia died December 6, 2020 at Ashley Nursing Home.
Claudia was born November 15, 1919 to Elizabeth Opp and Edward Mettler on the Opp family farm, 13 miles northeast of Eureka. At the age of 10, her mother passed away and she was raised by her grandparents, John, and Elizabeth Opp. Claudia was baptized and confirmed at the Reformed Church in Eureka, SD.
Claudia and Reinie Retzer met a barn dance in the Eureka area. The were united in marriage on October 6, 1940, at Gleuekstal Reformed Church, northeast of Eureka. They lived on the Retzer family farm from 1940 until 1967, when they moved to Ashley.
Claudia and Reinie did volunteer work for the Senior Center delivering meals on wheels and enjoyed fishing. Claudia loved to garden, cook, and can fruit and vegetables, filling the cellar. She also grew beautiful flowers for many years. Many friends were invited for a good home cooked meal followed by playing cards. Claudia also enjoyed crafts and making quilts. She made aprons for the whole family for Sunday soup with homemade noodles. In 2003, they sold their home and moved into the Harmony Home apartments where they lived until entering the nursing home in 2009. She was a prayer warrior all her life, especially at the nursing home, praying with all her roommates and staff. They were lifetime members of Zion Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Lutheran ladies group.
In September 2019, at the age of nearly 100, she attended her great-granddaughter's wedding and danced with her great-grandchildren and broke curfew at the nursing home by coming home at 11:00 pm. She was blessed to have a big party for her 100th birthday. She loved and adored her children and all her grandchildren.
She is survived by daughter, Donna (Vern) Moos, Venturia, ND; son-in-law, Tom Gjerde, New London, MN; five grandchildren, Todd (Kristen) Moos, Napoleon, ND, Kelly (Francis) Krumm, Hague, ND, Corey (Angela) Moos, Washington, NJ, Troy (Amanda) Gjerde, Rice, MN and Monte Gjerde, Pennock, MN; 12 great-grandchildren, Jennifer (Nick) Trout, Staples, MN, Zachary Krumm, Hague, ND, Holly (Nic) Keller, Bismarck, ND, Hope Krumm, Bismarck, ND, Taylor (Kyle) Schumacher, Ypsilanti, ND, Tyler, Trevor and Lily Moos, Napoleon, ND, Carly and Samuel Moos, Washington, NJ and August and Margaret Gjerde, Rice, MN; seven great-great-grandchildren, Edward, Owen, William and Henry Trout, Staples, MN, Philip and James Keller, Bismarck, ND, and Opal Schumacher, Ypsilanti, ND; sister-in-law, Alvina Ulrich, Grand Forks, ND and many nieces and nephews.
Claudia was preceded in death by her husband, Reinie in 2013, daughter, Sandra Gjerde in 2018, brother, Wilbert Ulrich in 2019 and parents, Elizabeth, and Jacob Ulrich and birth father, Edward Mettler.
Casketbearers will be grandchildren, Todd Moos, Monte Gjerde, Corey Moos and Troy Gjerde.
Carlsen Funeral Home of Ashley has been entrusted with arrangements.

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