Georgia Mae Rettmer

Georgia Mae Rettmer, age 89, of Mankato died at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2020, at Hosanna Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior. For those unable to attend the service, livestreaming will be available at www.hosanna.church. Private family graveside service will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. Please share your favorite memory of Georgia with her family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Georgia was born March 4, 1931, in North Mankato to Wynn and Manda (Sether) Stoll. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1949. She attended Bethany Lutheran College and Mankato State College, graduating in 1954 with a double major in Art and Music Education. Georgia taught at Mapleton High School, where she founded the art program and taught music. She also taught art at Washburn High School. On December 29, 1954, she married her high school prom date, Forrest Rettmer. Together they raised four children. Georgia touched many lives with her artistic talents and co-founded the It Takes Two greeting card company in 1984 with her daughter, Kimberly. She was a devoted member of Thursday Reading Club and Art History Club. Georgia was a gifted artist and storyteller and an avid reader and letter writer. She taught us how to “look for the blessings in each day.” Her life was a beautiful reflection of her faith and God’s grace.

Georgia is survived by her daughters, Rebecca (Bert Sagara) Rettmer of Lummi Island, WA, and Kimberly (Tim) Rinehart of Le Sueur, MN; sons, Peter (Mary) of Mankato, MN, and John of Ferndale, WA; 8 grandchildren, Rebekah, Hannah, Samuel, Matthew, Jonathan, Nicholas, Haley, and Luke; 7 great-grandchildren, Kade, Lincoln, Bode, Makenna, Madelyn, Finn, and Rudy; sisters, Betty Hauser of Tucson, AZ, and Marilyn (Jerry) Murray of Bozeman, MT; and sister-in-law, Carol (Dennis) Johnson of Minneapolis. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Forrest, in 2017; and sister, Nancy Petrich. Georgia and Forrest left all of us a timeless legacy of unconditional love.

The family prefers memorials be given to Hosanna Lutheran Church, Bethany College, or Vine Faith in Action.