Edward Rethman

West Des Moines

Edward Rethman, 79, passed away on Friday, January 29, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines with private burial at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.

Edward was born June 22, 1936 in Nemaha County, KS to Edwin and Cecilia (Wichman) Rethman. He was a teacher at West Des Moines Valley High School and a U.S. Army veteran. Edward was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He was the Chairman of the Board for the Dallas County Democratic Party, member of the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, president and member of Jefferson Court Condo Association and past-president of West Des Moines Education Association. Edward enjoyed traveling, politics and doing handyman work for his condo association.

Edward is survived by his wife of 56 years, Christa of West Des Moines; three children, Andre (Kathleen) Rethman of West Des Moines, Mark (Alice) Rethman of Buffalo, MN and Kirsten (Corey) McGrauth of Boone; five granddaughters, Anne, Rachael, Marisa, Sarah and Ashley; brother, Donald (Mary) Rethman of Garden Ridge, TX; sister, Ann (Merrill) Mason of Washington; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter; son-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society.