Vernon E Rettig

A Funeral Service will be held for Vernon on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 206 Southwest Walnut Street, Ankeny, Iowa, 50023. Visitation will be held at the church from 12:00 p.m. until the time of services. Burial will be held at Bondurant Cemetery following the funeral.

Vernon Eugene Rettig was born on October 1, 1933 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Gerald and Amelia (Schlegel) Rettig.

Vernon graduated from Grand Junction High School before attending junior college at Mesa College in Grand Junction (now Colorado Mesa University)for 2 years, graduating at the top of his class. He then continuing his education at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering.

Vernon moved to Ankeny, Iowa in 1955 to work for John Deere as a Agricultural Engineer until retirement in 1992. In 1962, Vernon moved to Bondurant, Iowa, and built his own home. Everything down to the electricity, pluming, framing, and concrete was done by his own hand—the only thing he didn’t do himself was the plaster on the walls. Beginning in the 1970s, he focused on his farming. He worked on his farm for more than 50 years at his home in Bondurant, Iowa. By 1979, Vernon had 150 acres of land!

In the late 1950s, Vernon met his wife, Sarah Tuffin, through a Farm Bureau Young People’s group, and the two married in 1959 at the First United Methodist Church in Ankeny, Iowa. The couple raised four children in their marriage: Rex Alan Rettig, Neva Marie Rettig-Baker, Mark Edward Rettig, and Nancy Ellen Rettig-Miki.

In his free time, Vernon enjoyed reading, politics, golfing, and a good debate. He also enjoyed rebuilding farming machinery using old parts, and designing and building new machinery from scratch. Farming was his true life passion and he showed that in his work.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church for more than 60 years. He participated in the Lion’s Club in Bondurant, along with being the secretary of the local Ditch Board in Polk County for the Skunk River Drainage area. Vernon served two terms as the President of the Bondurant-Farrar School Board, and worked for 50 years on a the Rettig Christmas Tree Farm and was a member for the Iowan and National Christmas Tree Growers Association during that time.

Vernon is survived by three children, Rex Alan Rettig of Bondurant, Iowa, Mark (Susan) Edward Rettig of Peoria, Illinois, and Ellen (Nobuyuki) Miki of Kobe, Japan; five grandchildren, Glenn (Nanxi) Baker, Diana (Matt) Doore, Michael Rettig, Marissa Rettig, and Matthew (Sophie) Rettig; one great grandchild, Tuli Sarah Baker; four siblings, Geraldine Verano, Anne (William) Snyer, Melvin (Maureen) Rettig, and David Rettig; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Vernon is preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Rettig; his daughter, Neva Rettig-Baker; and his parents, Gerald Rettig and Amelia Schlegel.

Memorials may be directed to the family in loving memory of Vernon.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com for the Rettig family.