etzer 1925-2021
Marjorie H. Retzer, 96, of Medford, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, at Eau Claire following a hip injury.
A funeral was held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 15, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Medford with Rev. Nancy Amacher officiating. Interment was at Evergreen II Cemetery. Visitation was held beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the church. The use of masks and social distancing was appreciated.
Marjorie was born Nov. 27, 1925, in Barron, to Harry and Florence (Thompson) Caldwell and graduated from Barron High School in 1943. Active in music from a young age, she played violin in the orchestra and sang in the school choirs, often singing solos.
After a year of factory work in Zion, Illinois, Marjorie attended Superior State College, now known as UW-Superior. Again, Marjorie was involved in a host of choral activities, including Choir, and Glee Club. She sang in a double trio which served as an ambassador for the college, appearing at outside engagements and school assembly programs throughout the area. A highlight of her college career was singing the contralto selections of Handel’s “Messiah” her junior year. She graduated in 1948, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in education.
Marjorie began her teaching career in Medford in the fall of 1948, teaching English and vocal music at Medford High School. There, she met another student from Superior, Robert Retzer, who was a math and science teacher at the high school. They got married on July 9, 1949, in Barron. Marjorie continued teaching at the high school until May, 1953, when she retired to start a family.
Marjorie intended to remain a homemaker, raising their three children. In October, 1962, she was contacted by the school’s district office. The outlying elementary schools would need art, music, and physical education teachers or lose state aid. Marjorie was hired as the elementary vocal music teacher for those outlying schools, given a road map and a schedule, often traveling to four different buildings in a day. As time went by, elementary schools in the city of Medford were added. Most of those years she moved from classroom to classroom; students remember her playing an autoharp to accompany them. The last two years of her career, Marjorie finally had a classroom at the new Medford Area Elementary School in addition to one at Stetsonville Elementary School. She retired in May, 1989, serving the district for 33 years. In retirement, she helped her daughter, Cathy, volunteering in the library at Medford Area Elementary on Mondays (and other days when she felt like it) for 27 years.
Marjorie was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, being a member of the women’s group and helping with funeral meals, in addition to serving as an organist and choir director over the years. The past few years she sewed quilt tops for Lutheran World Relief. In 2019, she sewed 85 tops; in 2020, she sewed 70 quilt tops and made 120 face masks. At the time of her death, she had completed 94 quilt tops, hoping to finish 100 by the end of the year.
Marjorie was recognized twice for her volunteerism in the 1990s by an organization presenting a Volunteer Recognition Award to volunteers from numerous organizations throughout Taylor County, representing Medford Area Public Schools and Medford Area Performing Arts, where she served on their board for over 35 years.
She sang with Central Chamber Chorale, an auditioned choral group in Marshfield for over 33 years, retiring from the group when she was 89 years old. She founded Medford Community Choir in 1982, directing area singers in performing music too difficult for most church choirs, through 2002.
Marjorie is survived by her three children, Cathy Retzer and Nancy (Dennis) Jones, Medford, and Todd (Kathleen) Retzer, Hager City; one sister, Lucy Nicklow, Barron; two step grandchildren, three step greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert, in 2008; siblings, Zona Poulter, Shirley Leonard, and Marion Swedo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated and will be designated at a later date.
Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice. com.
Paid Obituary 114566
