Retha Lorene Dillenburg
Retha Lorene Dillenburg
Retha Lorene May was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1924, to Reuel Emerson May and Bessie Faye (Marsh) May at home. She was welcomed into the family by two brothers, Carl Edward and John Franklin. Later they were joined by sister Bonnie Jean.
Retha passed away at the Ringgold County Hospital on September 4, 2024, at the age of 99 years, 8 months, and 10 days with her loving family by her side.
Retha graduated from Mount Ayr High School in 1942. She took Normal Training to teach in country schools because that’s what her mother wanted her to do but that wasn’t what she wanted to do. She went to Creston, Iowa and went to work breaking eggs at Swift’s for the service boys in World War II. Then she went to work at the Hotel Iowana in Creston as a pantry girl. Her next job was a nurse aid at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. She enjoyed this job very much, but because of her mother urging her to come home to teach, she went home in the summer of 1944, attended summer school in Mount Ayr, took more state tests, and taught country schools for 3 years.
In the spring of 1945, Ray Still brought Eldon Guy Dillenburg down to meet Retha. She was helping her dad chore in the barn lot. She always said that was a mistake as she had to help chore all the rest of her farming years. After dating for 7 weeks, Eldon gave her a diamond ring. In 7 more weeks, they were married on August 25, 1945, at the Methodist Church in Creston. George and Ethel Still stood up with them. The two couples were lifelong friends. To this marriage, two children were born: Harriet Faye on February 12, 1948, and Eldon Eugene on December 27, 1949. They were married 62 years before Eldon’s passing on May 22, 2008.
After starting her own family, Retha worked at Horton’s Nursing Home for 7 ½ years until she had a stroke at the age of 39. Due to physical demands, she was unable to go back to work there. She later became a nurse’s aide at the Ringgold County Hospital. She remained there until the head cook of Mount Ayr Schools came and knocked on her door offering her a job. Retha and Eldon also had the Red Carpet Restaurant for 2 years while she was working at the school. The day they sold the restaurant was Retha’s favorite memory of the restaurant. Retha worked for the school for 27 years before retiring. A few years later, she was asked to work at the Ringgold County Neighborhood Center. She worked for several years before retiring permanently. Retha was a very hard worker in her lifetime.
She was a very nurturing person and loved being with people. Her family was very important and precious to her. She never forgot a birthday or anniversary. She always got along with everyone she met. Daily, she kept a diary that has solved many family arguments and answered a lot of questions. She attended the Free Methodist Church in Mount Ayr very faithfully clear up until the time of her death.
Retha was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; parents-in-law Guy and May Dillenburg; brother Carl (Pearl) May; brother John May; sister Bonnie (Gerald) Summa; daughter-in-law Judy Dillenburg; brother-in-law Calvin Bauer; and nephew David May.
Left to cherish her memory are daughter Faye (Bill) Stull; son Eugene Dillenburg; grandchildren ReNell (Wayne) Roybal, Amy (Brent) Stewart, Daniel (Theresa) Stull, Lisa (Bob) Saxton, and Teresa Still; great grandchildren Ciprianna and Alena Roybal, Laura and Mark Roybal, Paige and Calvin Stewart, Brandon, Chloe, and Jonah Stull, Brandon (Katie) Saxton, Aaron (Kristen) Saxton, Mackenzie, Levi, K.C. and Noah Huffman; 3 great great grandchildren Piper, Raelynn and Xoe; sisters-in-law Carol May and Jean Bauer; along with many many nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.
Services were held 10:30 a.m. – Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
