Henry G. Retzlaff

Henry Retzlaff Jr.   Born to eternal life on June 23, 2008 at the age of 64 at St. Marys Hospital-Ozaukee.  A celebration of Henrys life will be held at First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, on Sunday, June 29, 2008, at 7:00 pm.  A visitation will take place prior to the funeral service at First Immanuel Lutheran Church from 2:00 -7:00 pm.  Pastors Randy Raasch , Jonathon van Sliedrecht, and Hunter Hofmann will be officiating the service.  Burial to take place Monday, June 30th, 2008, at 10:00 am at Zur Ruhe Cemetery in Cedarburg.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to First Immanuel Lutheran Church or Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation are appreciated.  For online condolences, please visit www.muellerfuneralhome.com.   Henry was born on February 04, 1944 in Pt. Washington, WI, and grew up on his family-owned dairy and vegetable farm.  He graduated from Cedarburg High School, class of 1962.  He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Short Course in Agriculture.  Henry married the love of his life, Joan (nee Pagenkopf) in 1971.  Their marriage was blessed with three daughters with whom Henry was very close.   Henry followed in his fathers footsteps by continuing to pursue the dairy and vegetable farming business.  A true entrepreneur, Henry adapted to the challenges of farming by developing one of Ozaukee Countys most well-known and popular pumpkin farms, Retzlaffs Pumpkin Farm. Pumpkin farming was always Henrys passion.  It brought him joy to entertain families and children every October and to teach them about farming and agriculture.  A creative and innovative businessman, Henry constantly found new ways to improve and expand the pumpkin farm over the years.  In 2006, Henry moved the farm to the town of Jackson and renamed it, Retzlaffs Pumpkins on Pioneer.  He was always thinking one step ahead and always had ideas for the future brewing.  Henry worked hard throughout his life in all that he did and had a true love of the land.   When he wasnt busy farming, Henrys pastimes and hobbies included traveling, attending festivals and fairs, spending time with family and friends, and being a part of numerous committees and organizations.  Throughout his life, Henry was very active in his community.  His involvements included 4-H, Ozaukee County Farm Bureau, Ozaukee County Agricultural Society, Ozaukee County Holstein Association, Ozaukee County Fair Board, Cedarburg High School Community Service, and the City of Cedarburg Festivals Committee.   Henry had a gentle, calm nature that always managed to put people at ease.  Henrys honesty and straightforward nature made him well-respected by loved ones and business associates alike.  Henry was eternally generous and always willing to help those in need.  He believed in giving everyone a chance.  His big personality and infectious laugh touched the lives of all who knew him.  Henry always had a smile or a joke waiting for everyone.  He was satisfied with the simple pleasures in life.  Henry truly had a heart of gold.  He will be greatly missed by his deeply saddened family, friends, and community.   Henry is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 36 years, Joan (nee Pagenkopf) Retzlaff.  Best friend and dear father of daughter Lori (Pamen) Hosseini, Julie Retzlaff and Kathy Retzlaff.  Further survived by sister Ruth (the late Delwin) Hintz; sister-in-law Nancy (Rick) Wallock; nieces and nephews Susan (Roger) Endres, Daniel Hintz, Sara (Paul) Beine, Kristy (Todd) Weir and Ginny (fiancé Paul Wagner) Fish, and many other relatives and friends.  Henry was preceded in death by his father, Henry Retzlaff Sr., and mother, Viola (nee Riebe) Retzlaff; infant sister Caroline Retzlaff; mother-in-law and father-in-law Virginia (nee Maas) Pagenkopf and Charles Pagenkopf; brother-in-laws Delwin Hintz and Robert Bob Fish. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials to Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation or First Immanuel Lutheran Church appreciated. Cemetery: Monday June 30, 2008 at 10 AM Zur Ruhe Cemetery N69 W6000 Bridge St. Cedarburg, WI 53012 (map/driving directions) Visitation: 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at First Immanuel Lutheran Church W67 N622 Evergreen Blvd Cedarburg, WI 53012 on June 29, 2008 (map/driving directions) Service: 7:00 PM at First Immanuel Lutheran Church W67 N622 Evergreen Blvd Cedarburg, WI 53012 on June 29, 2008 (map/driving directions)