Service Information
Milan “Miley” Retzlaff, age 89, of Cosmos, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at Central Minnesota Senior Care in Lake Lillian, Minnesota.
Private Family Graveside Service will be held on Monday, June 8, 2020.
Public Drive-Thru Visitation will be held on Monday, June 8, 2020, from 10:00-11:00 A.M. at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Cosmos.
Military Honors by Beack-Thompson American Legion Post 126 of Cosmos.
Obituary
Milan Arthur Retzlaff was born on April 24, 1931, at Hutchinson Community Hospital. He was the son of Otto and Anna (Schlueter) Retzlaff. Milan grew up on the family farm in Boon Lake Township. He received his education in Hutchinson, Minnesota and was a graduate with the Hutchinson High School.
Milan enlisted into the United States Navy on June 8, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During the time he served Milan received the Purple Heart and an honorable discharged on June 12, 1952, in San Diego, California. When his father passed away, Milan went home to help on the family farm.
Milan was united in marriage to Arlene (Lietzau) on May 14, 1955, at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. Milan and Arlene resided on the Lietzau farm for a short time and then moved and made their home in Cosmos, where they have lived to the present time. He retired from the Hutchinson State Highway Department.
Milan enjoyed fishing, hunting and trapping and most of all he enjoyed camping with Arlene on Diamond Lake. He tilled many gardens for people in the Cosmos area. Milan played softball and was coach for the American Legion Baseball League. He served on the Cosmos Fire Department. Milan also was a member of Beack-Thompson American Legion Post 126 of Cosmos, helping with multiple American Legion functions.
Milan passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2020, at Central Minnesota Senior Care in Lake Lillian, Minnesota, at the age of 89 years. Blessed be his memory.
Milan is survived by his:
Daughters, Donna Peterson and her husband, Steven, of Atwater, MN,
Jolene Walter and her husband, Wally, of Redwood Falls, MN,
Judy Murphy and her husband, Larry, of Hutchinson, MN,
Denise Robinson of New Ulm, MN,
Becky McRoberts and her husband, Mike, of Cosmos, MN;
Grandchildren, Trisha (Philip) Kruse, Christa Peterson (Cory Wenisch), Vanessa (Brad) Luettel, Kasey Erickson, Crystal (Ryan) Behrendt, Jessica (Daniel) Kiecker, Ashley (Matthew) Fordyce, Sadie (Todd) Jenkins, Melissa (Matthew) Kohls, Michael (Patty) Murphy, Joshua (Heather) Retzlaff, Richard (Crystal) Robinson, Amy (Joe) Breitkreutz, Kelly (Dirk) Nelson, Katie Robinson, Keith Robinson, Jake (Leslie) Degner, Tyler (Holly) Degner, and Rayanna McRoberts;
Brother, George Retzlaff and his significant other, Linda Peterson, of Hutchinson, MN;
Sisters-in-law, Virginia Retzlaff of Hutchinson, MN,
Bernice Retzlaff of Cosmos, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.
Milan was preceded in death by his Parents, Otto and Anna Retzlaff; Wife, Arlene Retzlaff; Grandson, Adam Robinson; Brothers, Elmer Retzlaff, Donnie Retzlaff, Ervin Retzlaff and his wife, Florence, Alvin Retzlaff; Sister, Dorothy Konietzko and her husband, Ken.
Richard Karl says
Sending heartfelt condolences and prayers. We remember some of the fun times from way back! Rick & Bonnie Karl
Karen Hoffmann says
Donna, Judy, Jolene, Becky, Denise, spouses & family,
Sending our heartfelt sympathy & remembering all of you in our thoughts & prayers!
Many wonderful memories over the years & of all our softball days–he was a kind & fun guy. Cherish all your wonderful memories & hold them close to your hearts! Your folks are together again & we can only imagine the wonderful reunion that took place when he meet the Lord & your Mom! God Bless all of you & his memory!
Karen & Larry Hoffmann
Beth Retzlaff says
I have so many fond memories of my great-uncle! Comforting thoughts and prayers to his daughters and their families.
Pat and Liz Wheeler says
Our sincere sympathy on the passing of Miley. We will forever remember him and Arlene as they were some of the first campers at Wheeler’s Campground when Margaret started it on in the late 1960’s. They were always ready to share a lunch or game of cards and a laugh or two. The only thing Miley would never share is where he caught his fish! When asked, he’d always say with a smile and a wink, “Oh… out in the lake”. We will miss him, but It is comforting to think that Arlene was waiting in the boat for him when he got to heaven. Blessed be his name.
Milly wheeler gertgen says
Only to be remembered and loved
Never to be forgotten, this amazing
Man, and the king of teasers he
Shall remain supreme.
Mollie Zrust says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Retzlaff family. Don and I remember Miley from way back when we were kids and attended the same church in Cosmos. We also remember him from his softball playing days. God Bless Everyone
Don and Mollie (Albrecht) Zrust