Con Rettmer age 78 of Tracy passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at the Sanford Hospital in Tracy. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday at the Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday at the Tracy Area Funeral Home, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. A private family interment will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Conrad Arthur Rettmer was born March 4, 1936 in Tracy, Minnesota to Arthur and Lena (Nordling) Rettmer. He graduated from Tracy High School in 1954 and from Mankato State University in 1962. Con served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1957. On August 27, 1960 he was united in marriage to Sandi Starken in Tracy. Con “Mr. Tracy” Rettmer, being born and raised in Tracy, devoted virtually his entire life to the community. From directing Box Car Days parades and bringing in millions of dollars for economic development to hosting and emceeing myriad events and being the Voice of Tracy on KMHL radio, he left an imprint on our hearts. His booming voice, his handshakes and “pats” on the back, his laughter and smile will be missed by us all. He was also involved in the Housing & Redevelopment Authority, Tracy Fine Arts Council, Prairie Home Hospice, Lyon County Fair, Tracy Area Chamber of Commerce, Star City Task Force for Industrial Development, Tracy Lions Club, Tracy United Fund, MN Board of Aging (St. Paul), Tracy Golf Club, and Tracy Box Car Days. Con enjoyed reading, traveling, gardening, and golf, golf, golf!
Con is survived by his wife Sandi (Starken) Rettmer; children: Stacy (Doug) Neis of Minneapolis, Jane (Patrick) Belisle of Charlottesville, VA, Sara (Chad) Sammons of Rhinelander, WI, and Matthew (Heidi Simon) Rettmer of Castle Rock, CO; grandchildren: Mitch, Ben, and Ellen Neis, Gabby and Natalie Sammons, Lindsey and Peyton Rettmer; and the grand dogs; and sisters Lola Jean Mummert of Kirkland, WA, and Elaine Berry of Crystal.
To the family of Con-
I remember working with Con on his class reunions that he held at Jackpot Junction. Such a pleasure he always was.
You all have my sympathy in this time of sorrow.
May the lord be with you all.
Troy Loiselle
Banquet Manager
Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel
To the family of Con Rettmer
I have never personally met Mr. Rettmer, but I felt like I knew him. Every morning I loved to listen to the Tracy show on KMHL, hosted by Con. I loved to listen to his many stories, the trip’s he had taken to see his children and mostly his laughter. He was my morning brightener. He will be missed by so many and my deepest sympathy goes out to his family.
To my Aunt Sandi
I can still remember today, when I was a kid my uncle Butch (Con) and my dad playing the cornet and trumpet on a Sunday afternoon in our living room in Crystal, MN.
My thoughts and prayers our with all of you.
Tom
I grew with Con “Art” as I knew him then. We spent 12 years of schooling together. Cub Scouts, church, football, basketball, track and barbershop quarter singing. He always had a spark, a sense of of adventure and a can-do attitude. Vergene and I send our support and condolence to Sandi and his family. We especially cherish our recent visit in April when Con and Sandi spent some time with us here in Indiana.
Bye Con!
I am very saddened by the passing of a good man and great friend, Conrad (Con) Rettmer. We grew up together, went through school together, played sports together, paled around together, and entered the U.S. Air Force together; and have remained friends throughout the years. My deepest condolences to his wife Sandi, and their wonderful family. He will truly be missed! Rest in peace, my good friend……….Warnie
My sympathies to the Con Rettmer family. He will be missed by the people of the Tracy area and the classmates of 1954.
My prayers and sympathy to all of Con’s family at this sudden loss of your husband/father/grandpa/brother/uncle/friend. He was a great ” Tracy ” man.
You truly have a special angel watching over you from above.
To Con’s Family:
Bless you all, and the Lord give you strength, fortitude & love for each other at this difficult time.
It may not be a coincidence that Con & Robin Williams died within a few hours of one another. It was an amazing meeting, I am sure.
With Deep Sympathy,
Frank & Margie
Hi Sandi………It has been a long time since we were together in the Mankato State College barracks. Tom and I have good memories of that. We were very sorry to hear of Con’s (Art) passing, so memories are very important. We are good bowling friends with Roger and Jackie Menke, so that is how we found out about Con. From the obituary we find that he really lead a wonderful and fun life with you. Take care. Betty and Tom
Dear Sandy,
We remember Con fondly. In fact, after we got married in December, We met him/Santa and had a picture taken with him. God bless you.
Gordon & Kathy von Ahsen
Harlan, Iowa
Hi Sandy…….hope all is going well for you. Looking back…..I was born March 5, 1938, pretty close. We were just talking about the college barracks and how we lived in the 1 bedroom for the first year and the 2 bedroom, the next year with kid #2, and Tom was the head of the DFL . Now, we have 5 kids age 47 and older and 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. How wonderful it would have been for Con to have enjoyed all this that has happened these past three years. We see Roger and Jackie Menk at bowling and enjoy the company, (altho their bowling is much better than mine!!!). Respond if you remember us..