Dr. Wesley H. Rethwill, age 78 of Waseca died on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Born on March 13, 1935 in Waseca, Minnesota he was the son of Dr. Wesley and Estelle (Schwarz) Rethwill. He graduated from Waseca High School in 1953 and received his BS and DDS degrees from the University of Minnesota. He married Carol Ann Mehrtens on June 20, 1959 in Minneapolis. Following his schooling, Dr. Rethwill actively served in the US Air Force from 1959 until 1961 and continued to serve in the reserves for several years. Dr. Rethwill practiced dentistry in Waseca for 45 years until retiring in 2004.
Dr. Rethwill was an active member of the Masons where he had served as Past Master of the Tuscan Lodge #77 in Waseca. In 2007 he received the Grand Lodge of MN Hiram award for his lifetime of contributions to the Masons. He was awarded the Waseca Rotary Service Above Self Award for contributions made to the community and his commitment to various civic organizations. He also recently received the Paul Harris Fellow award given by Rotary International. He had been a member of many professional and civic organizations including, American Dental Association, MN State Dental Association, Waseca Chamber of Commerce, Waseca County Historical Society and the Waseca Area Foundation. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Waseca.
He is survived by two children, Dr. Carrie Burger and her husband, Kenneth of Ledyard, CT and Wesley H. Rethwill Jr. and his wife, Michele of Olympia, WA; four grandchildren, Steven Burger, Jessica Burger, Wesley “Holden” Rethwill and Olivia Rethwill. He is also survived by one sister, Annette Walter and her husband, Robert of Des Moines, IA; and three nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca on Friday, June 21, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. with a 6:00 p.m. Masonic service.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, June 24, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.
Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice or Waseca Area Foundation.
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