FORREST V. RETZ, Obituary, Fergus Co., MT

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"List transcribed and organized by Betty (Phillips) Distad, GmomDistad@aol.com. All rights 
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  Copyright, 1998 by Betty (Phillips) Distad.  This file may be freely copied for non-profit 
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Lewistown Paper  dated 8-19-1987

Forrest v. Retz, 80, a Lewistown resident for many years, died at the Deaconess Skilled Nursing center in Great 
Falls, Wednesday morning after a lengthy illness.

Born May 31, 1907, at Fountain City, IN to Carl and Alice Retz. He moved to Polson with his parents in 1909.  
He attended Polson Schools graduating from high school there in 1925.  

He then attended Intermountain Union College in Helena in 1927 and 1928 and graduated from Worsham 
Mortuary School in Chicago in 1929.

He then worked for the Selby Funeral Home in Livingston, and then for the Merrill Mortuaries in Livings, Butte 
and Missoula, and also for this father Carl Retz at the Retz Funeral Home in Polson.

In 1932, he became associated with the Creel Funeral Home in Lewistown and lived in Lewistown until 1945, 
when he moved to Helena to become associated with his brothers in the Retz Funeral Home there.

He was a member of the Helena Elks, Kiwanis, chamber of commerce, past president of the Montana Club and 
past president of the Montana Funeral Directors Association.  He returned to Lewistown in 1953 and became 
associated with the Fad Clothing Store and the Creel Funeral Home until his retirement in 1984.

He was one of the founders of the Western Invitational Basketball Tournament held in Lewistown each year, a 
nationally known event which was featured in Sports Illustrated.  The past tournament was dedicated to him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Irene in November 1986 and by one daughter, Patricia Pipinich in October 
of 1986.

Survivors include his son, Robert M. Retz of Great Falls, grandson Jeff Pipinich of Lewistown and Brendon, 
Erik and Ryan Retz of Great Falls; Granddaughter Lori Pipinich of Lewistown; brothers Ernest and Howard, 
both of Helena; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are scheduled Friday at 11 a. m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Fr. Steve Tokarski officiating.  
Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

A Rosary will be recited at the Creel-Morrison-Retz Chapel Thursday at 7PM.