Alice M. Retleff, 81, of Rowan, passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at her
home in Rowan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at United
Church of Rowan, 811 Pesch Street in Rowan, with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister
officiating. Burial will take place at Graceland Cemetery in Rowan.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 1, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at
Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane South in Belmond, and continue one hour
prior to services at the church on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of your choice in
Alice's name.
Alice May, daughter of Dale and May Bell (Jacobson) Knuths, was born on March 5,
1940 in Clarion. Alice grew up north of Dows and attended school in Dows. While
in high school, she lettered as a basketball player.
Alice worked at the hospital in Fort Dodge when she met her future husband,
Larry Retleff. A few days after meeting, they went on a roller skating date at
Lake Cornelia. On September 18, 1960, Alice and Larry were united in marriage at
the Dows Presbyterian Church. They made their home on a farm near Rowan, where
Alice helped on the farm and together they raised their four children. Alice was
a stay at home mom for most of her children's early years, but started working
at We3 Market, Farm and Home, and later worked at the Belmond care center. After
30+ years, Alice retired at the age of 70.
Alice was active in the Rowan community and at the United Church of Rowan. She
enjoyed tending to her vegetable and flower gardens in the summer and watching
the birds, especially the cardinals. Christmas and the Fourth of July were her
favorite holidays and loved to celebrate them.
Alice is survived by her children Randall Richard (Denise) Retleff of Ames,
Rochelle Renae Retleff of Elmsford, New York, Ronald William (Helen) Retleff of
Rowan, and Roddy Alan Retleff of Cherokee; grandchildren Amber (Chris) Bychurch
of Luling, Louisiana, Nathan Retleff of Cherokee, Henry Retleff of Cherokee,
Bryce (Cas) Pieper of Grimes, Nicole Pieper of Des Moines, Abby (Blaine) Johnson
of Manhattan, Kansas, Garrett (Jordan) Schubert of Elkins Park, Pennsylvaina;
eight great-grandchildren; sister Carol (Bob) Madden of Michigan; and six nieces
and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Dale and May Bell Knuths; husband Larry
Retleff in 2011; and two brothers Alan Knuths and David Knuths.