Lauretta E. "Retta" Scherschel

MIDDLETON - Lauretta “Retta” Scherschel passed away peacefully with family at her side on November 15, 2024. She was 95. She was born in Rock Island, Ill., October 4, 1929, to David C. Karr and Violet E. Vedell. Her sister, Donna Mae was born in 1931. They were the best of friends and had an extra special relationship with their father who doted on them.

Retta met her husband, our father, Don Scherschel, at a Veterans Dance at the Armory in Rock Island. She was still in high school and was swept off her feet by this “older” (two years older) man in uniform. Retta was always surprised he stayed with her, as she was in nurses training putting in very long hours.

One of her most enjoyable times of life was the summer she was in Chicago at Cook County Hospital for a nursing rotation. Don would visit on weekends, and they would head to the beach or take the “L” to the loop dancing to Big Bands at the Aragon Ballroom and Buckingham Fountain or go to movies in the Theatre district.

They married on October 25, 1950, and headed to Chicago the next day for their honeymoon and for her nursing boards exam. Don was called back into the U.S. Navy that following Saturday.

Nine children quickly followed. All first names starting with D and middle names L.

We think of Retta as superwoman as she continued to work as a nurse in labor and delivery and fed and clothed us nine kids. She never missed an event at school, in the gym or out on the athletic fields. As we grew older, she and Don loved traveling to visit us.

Retta was happiest when she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Add her sister, sister/brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews and she was over the moon. You can imagine the house was noisy, filled with laughter, sheer chaos and she loved every minute of it.

She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Violet; husband, Don; and son, David. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Joann Theuninck; children, Donna, Debbie (Ray), Donnie (Shar), Diane (Boo), Danny (Kathy), Darrell (Brenda), Denise (Tom) and Doreen (Henry); grandchildren, Connie (Tri), Erin (Noah), Zach (Sara), Nichole, Ryan, Ben, Alexis, Nell, Gino and Jonathan; and great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Justin, Jayden, Gracie, Leo and Mari.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate Retta and a life well-lived on Saturday, November 23, 2024. A memorial service will be held at Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Care, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. with her nephew, the Rev. Bill Ramsdale presiding. A visitation will be held at the funeral home after the service from 12 noon until 2 p.m.
 

A special thank you is extended to the staff at Heritage Assisted Living and Memory care, her Agrace Hospice Nurse, Nikki Perkins, and Heather Hart of Senior Helpers.  Each of you added so much richness to her life. Retta loved and appreciated everything you did for her.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be used to thank the staff at Heritage Assisted Living and Memory Care.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761