Ellendale, N.D.: Emil Fredrick Retzlaff, 94, of Ellendale died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at Prince of Peace Care Center, Ellendale.
He was born Sept. 12, 1918, to Carl August Retzlaff and Alma Elizabeth Wilhelmina (Kalbus) Retzlaff on the family farm in Albion Township, 9 miles northwest of Ellendale. He was baptized on Nov. 28, 1918, at Peace Lutheran in Merricourt, N.D., and confirmed on July 30, 1933, at Christ Lutheran Church in Albion Township.
Emil grew up on the family farm, attended rural school at Albion Township School No. 1 and also took courses in farming/bookkeeping, as well as mechanics/welding at State Normal and Industrial College, Ellendale.
Emil was joined in marriage, June 2, 1942, to Lois Evelyn Rollo on the family farm. They lived with Emil's parents for one year until they moved to a farmstead one mile east, where they lived and farmed full time until spring 1981. After semi-retiring and moving into Ellendale, he continued to farm until 2007.
He was an active member of Christ and later Zion Lutheran churches where he held various offices, was an assessor for several years, a member of the rural school board and hospital board and a township officer. He also enjoyed working and supporting the Republican party.
Emil loved boating as a young man, hunting pheasants and deer, shooting gophers, attending card parties in the winter and Fourth of July gatherings in the summer. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family.
He is survived by four sons: Edward (Dianna) Retzlaff, Friendswood, Texas; Raymond (Earlene) Retzlaff, Huron; Kenneth Retzlaff, Ellendale; Warren (Anne) Retzlaff, Wahpeton, N.D.; one daughter, Dorothy (Alan), Wahpeton, N.D.; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois; brother, Carl; and son, James.
The funeral is 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, at Zion Lutheran Church, Ellendale, with Pastor Alan R. Werth officiating. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.
Burial is at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen.
Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale.
hovenfuneralchapel.com