Donald Trettin

Obituary

Donald Roy Trettin was born on January 7, 1938, in Brownton, Minnesota.  He was the son of Harold and Hilda (Groth) Trettin.  Don was baptized as an infant on February 6, 1938, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 25, 1952, both at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart, Minnesota.  He received his education in Stewart and was a graduate of the Stewart High School Class of 1956.  

Don entered the United States Army Reserves on April 5, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He served his country during the Vietnam War.  He was Honorably Discharged on December 31, 1963, and earned the rank of E5.

On September 24, 1961, Don was united in marriage to Elva Schultz at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Acoma Township, McLeod County.  This marriage was blessed with 4 beautiful children, Barb, Bob, Beth and Brad.  Don and Elva made their home and raised their children on a farm in rural Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, where they lived for 40 years.  When Don decided to retire from farming in 2001, they moved to their home on Lake Allie and Lake Preston, which had been previously owned by his parents.  There were countless years of family camps and family memories made at both homes.   In December 2016, Don and Elva moved to Hutchinson.  They shared 55 years of marriage together.

Don was a very proud, loving, and caring father and a hardworking farmer.  He spent countless hours outside in the barn where he fed and milked cows, mowed lawn, or tinkered in the shed with a project or fixing equipment. When he wasn’t doing any of the above, he could be found on a tractor, planting or harvesting his fields. 

Don was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart where he served the Lord in many ways such as ushering and serving at funerals, church custodian, church council and many other services.  He also served as a member of the Renville County Variance Committee, Preston Lake Township Board and the Lake Allie Association Board.

Don lived a full and happy life.  He was a man of many hobbies.  Don enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and having morning coffee with the men at the Oakdale Country Club.   He always had a good joke to tell and always did it with a smile and a laugh.  The hobby he loved most was fishing.  He loved to sit on the dock and fish with his beloved dog, Rusty or anyone else that would join him. When the fish weren’t biting, he still had Rusty to chase after the bobber.   Don liked having a project to work on in his shed either by himself or with one of the grandkids.  He and Elva took great pride in attending their grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities.  Don especially enjoyed his time spent with his family, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends making a lifetime of memories.  All will dearly miss him.  Blessed be his memory.

Don is survived by his:

Spouse, Elva Trettin of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Barb Loncorich and her husband, Mike of Stewart, MN,
                   Bob Trettin and his wife, Jenny of Hutchinson, MN,
                   Beth Rossow and her husband, Mark of Eagle Lake, MN,
                   Brad Trettin and his wife, Karla of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Grandchildren, Dean Loncorich and his wife, Stephanie, Laura Kaiser and her husband, Greg, Scott Loncorich and his wife, Bethany; Michael Trettin (special friend Ashley Jenson); Matthew Trettin, Molly Trettin; Kayla Rossow, Wade Rossow; Travis Trettin, Emma Trettin and Dustin Trettin;
Great Grandchildren, Olivia, Dalen and Landon Loncorich, Taylor Kaiser, Wyatt Loncorich;
Brothers, Orville Trettin and Jim (Mardette) Trettin;
Sisters, Mary Trettin (Mike Miller) and Carol Wilson (Larry Lavin);
Brothers-In-Law and Sisters-In-Law, Milan (Norma) Plath and Gary (Fern) Hoff;
Many Nieces, Nephews, relatives and wonderful friends.

Don is preceded in death by his:  Parents, Harold and Hilda Trettin, Son, Jeffery (in infancy); Father and Mother-In-Law, Walter and Dorothy Schultz; Brother-In-Law, Dale Wilson; Sister-In-Law, Elvera Trettin