Marna L. Rettig

Marna L. (Schave) Rettig, 91, of Coal Valley, Illinois, passed away from a massive stroke on Wednesday, November 15, 2107, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Services are 1:30 p.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Coal Valley, with The Rev. Robert Hagen officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to services. Burial is in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Taylor Ridge. Memorials may be made to the church or Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, is entrusted with arrangements.

Marna was born May 24, 1926, to Louis F. and Clara C. (Mueller) Schave in Edgington, Illinois. Marna was a graduate of Reynolds High School in 1944. She married Wilford "Bill" Rettig on November 2, 1947. He died June 14, 1997.

Before and after raising their two sons, Marna had a number of jobs; but her favorite was as an activity assistant at Oak Glen County Home where she worked for 20 years. She enjoyed interacting with residents and brought joy into their lives with her loving, caring attention.

In the last 20 years, her church, Trinity Lutheran of Coal Valley, was the focus of Marna's energy. She spent every Monday morning in a prayer circle with other women from her church. Every single night before going to bed she would read her daily devotional and the Bible. Her favorite verse was "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Marna was dedicated to serving people. God's love filled her and she could do nothing but pass that love on. She tried to be the hands of Christ on Earth.

Marna was a long time Cub fan who often indulged in a brief snooze during the game. Marna enjoyed nature and fed birds for many years; she also loved her neighbor's barn cats, and her indoor pets. She especially enjoyed rocking in her backyard garden swing and sitting in her sun deck. Marna was a born card player, and it was one of the few times when she thought of herself first, winning was her goal.

Marna was preceded in death by her husband, Wilford "Bill" Rettig. She is survived by her two sons, Ronald (Jan McKean) and William (Jean Gilbertson); her granddaughter, Kathleen; step-granddaughters, Hope and Faith; step-great-grandchildren, Izaiah and Addilyn; her sister-in-law, Jean Schave; brothers-in-law, James and John (Shirley) Rettig; her nieces, Barbara Chapman, Sharon Hart, Connie Kennedy, Tracy Bayne, and Bambi Heckerman; and her nephews, Paul, Dennis and David Nelson, and Tom and Mike Rettig. She is also survived by three special younger women who she loved and who in turn loved and helped Marna, especially as old age took its toll: Mary Jo DeVrieze, Delores Laleman and Darla Stroup. And a special thanks to her wonderful neighbors: Don, Erma, Helen and Jack.

Visit Marna's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences with the family.