Bridget Retka

Bridget A. Retka, Age 92, of Little Falls, MN, passed away Thursday, August 9, 2012 at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Fr. Joseph Herzing officiating. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Sobieski. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2012 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls. There will be a Daughters of Isabella Rosary at 4:30 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home followed by parish prayers at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. Bridget was born on February 18, 1920 in Swanville Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late John & Nettie (Piotrowski) Cichon. She grew up on a farm and attended school in District #11 in Swanville Township. She was united in marriage to Stanley Retka on August 12, 1940, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski, MN. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Detroit, MI, and Bridget worked as a sales clerk in a local store. In 1945, the couple purchased a farm in Swanville Township and resided there until 1981. They then moved into Little Falls on the West side of town. Bridget worked at a number of restaurants in Little Falls as a cook and in 1976 purchased the Royal Cafe. She retired from the Royal Cafe in 1980. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, St. Jude Society, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. She resided at her home in Little Falls until 2002 when she moved to Bridgeway Estates and then St. Otto's Care Center. She was very active while a resident in St. Otto's with many of the activities. Bridget enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and traveled to Australia, Europe and 49 of the 50 states. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Jerome "Jerry" (Jeanette) Retka of Little Falls, Dennis (Sandy) Retka of Crystal, Eugene "Gene" (Janet) Retka of Swanville and Mary Helton of Little Falls; daughter-in-law, Linda Retka of Blaine; grandchildren, Deb Retka, Ken (Jackie) Dave (Cheryl) Retka, Kelly (Anthony) Lavelle, Amy (Ted) Harrison, Brian (partner, Jonathan Miller) Retka, Dan (Anita) Retka, Michele (friend, Suzette Garner) Retka, Amanda (John) Horton, Bridget (Michael) Strom, John (Julie) Retka, Andrea (Ben) Schuth and Michael Retka; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and sisters-in-law, Delphine Cichon and Angie Tuzinski and many nieces and nephews. Bridget was preceded in death by parents; husband, Stanley (1984); son, Edward (2010); grandson, Angel Gabriel Retka; sister, Agatha Leporowski; brothers, Anthony Cichon, Simon "Sam" Cichon, Lawrence Cichon and Albin Cichon.