CARROL B. RETZLAFF

CARROL B. RETZLAFF Carrol Bernard Retzlaff, 95, Cooperstown, ND, died Monday, October 07, 2013 in the Griggs County Care Center in Cooperstown, ND. He had been a resident there for more than two years suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Carrol was born at rural Binford, ND July 15, 1918. His home was with his mom Julia Bendickson Retzlaff and his dad Alfred O. Retzlaff on the family farm. He had one younger brother, Marvin, who passed away in 2004. Carrol went to country grade school in Clearfield Twsp. and graduated from Cooperstown High School in 1936. He participated in usual school activities including Future Farmers of America. His farming career began at home with his Dad, Mom and brother. During this time he met the Love of his life, Miss Shirley Lucille Watne of rural Binford, ND. They enjoyed a courtship and were married in 1941. In 1941 they embarked upon their farming operation that would actually last most of their life together. They rented land and a farmstead in Griggs County, while Carrol held a fulltime job as second man at Shepard Farmers Elevator south of Cooperstown. Carrol was a steward of the land and was known as an excellent farmer and was awarded Soil Conservation in 1963. They began a family had son, Wayne was born in 1942, son Rollie in 1945, and son James was born in 1952. While farming rented land and eventually owned land, Carrol was involved in many community and professional organizations. He was Township officer, board member and officer of several agriculture organizations such as Farm Bureau, Farmer’s Oil Co., Shepard farmers Elevator, Midland Farm Co-op, Land-O-Lakes Co-op, 4-H leader, Farm agent for Nodak Mutual Insurance and several others. Carrol was a volunteer lineman and service person for the Shepard Co-op Telephone Co. in the 50’s and 60’s. Carrol was a charter member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Cooperstown, ND. He was a member of the building committee, who oversaw the building of a new church sanctuary in the 1950’s with volunteer labor. Carrol held several leadership positions in the church which will now host is his funeral, Friday, October 11, 2013 at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 5:00 till 7:30 in the Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home, Cooperstown, ND and one hour before services in the Church. A Prayer Service will be Thursday at 7:30 pm in the Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Cooperstown Cemetery, Cooperstown, ND. Carrol was preceded in death by his parents, Julia and Alfred, brother, Marvin.