Thomas (Tom) Arthur Retterath, 60, of Adams died Feb. 21, 2008, at his home surrounded by his loving family after a long courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on March 28, 1947, to Lawrence and Marie (Wettstein) Retterath in Osage, Iowa. Tom attended Sacred Heart School in Adams and graduated in 1965 from Adams High School. He married Jeanette Thome on Feb. 15, 1969, at Visitation Church in Stacyville, Iowa. He served in the US Army and served in Vietnam. He was a retired bulk feed truck driver from Northern County Co-op. He was a loving and gentle husband, dad, and grandfather who had a big heart. He enjoyed his family who was his pride and joy and always came first. He loved to watch his grandchildren play sports and always added a word of advice and encouragement which not only got their attention but also the crowd&8217;s attention. He loved to go out for breakfast with his grandchildren every weekend, play golf, doing mom&8217;s remodeling projects, and woodworking. He used to love to play fast and slow pitch softball and bowling. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching the Twins, Vikings, and the Southland Rebels. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church and the American Legion. He also served on the CRCC Board, parish council and was a volunteer fireman for over 20 years.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette; daughters and sons-in-law Darcey and Steve Reinartz, Nichole and Tony Johnson; son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Melissa Retterath; grandchildren Trent, Cassidy and Lydia Reinartz, Marcus, Brooklyn, Brianna, and Bailey Johnson, and Riley, Madisyn, Alia and Dakota Retterath; sister-in-law, Betty Retterath, Adams; sisters Annie (Ken) Hemann, St. Ansgar, Iowa, Lorraine (Ken) Kramer, Adams, Louise (Ken) Goergen, Adams, Helen (Lynn) Webber, Adams, Terry (Wally) Watson, Milwaukee, Wis., Mary (Wayne) Rogne, Austin, and Liz (Mike) Schik, Plymouth; brother John Retterath, Adams; brother-in-law Jim Blake, Riceville; mother-in-law Lorraine Thome, Adams; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Judy and Jim Dahl, Dodge Center, Beth Hackenmiller, Owatonna, and Amy and Tom Warrington, West Bend, Iowa; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dean and Elaine Thome, Stacyville, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, and father-in-law.

A mass in celebration of his life will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with a very special close family friend Father James Seitz officiating. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Adams. Visitation will be at Adams Funeral Home on Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and from 9 to 9:45 before the service at the Adams Funeral Home. The organist will be Joyce Edland with soloists Mark Schaefer and Virginia Bissen. The casket bearers will be Randy Kramer, Heidi Retterath, Scott Retterath, Todd Retterath, Brad Retterath, and Brendt Warrington. Honorary casket bearers will be Marcus Johnson, Trent Reinartz, Brooklyn Johnson, Cassidy Reinartz, Riley Retterath, and Brianna Johnson.

He will truly be missed by all his family and friends but we know you are at peace after fighting your long courageous battle.