Yvonne "Vonnie" Rae (Dockter) Retzer, 75, of Mobridge, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 after a long battle with cancer. She was able to enjoy her last days surrounded by her loved ones working on family scrapbooks, sharing stories and playing Scrabble.

Yvonne was born July 21, 1937 in McIntosh County, ND, the only child of Andrew and Olga (Pfiefle) Dockter. She was born and raised on the family farm. Vonnie was baptized (1937) and confirmed (1951) at Zion Lutheran Church in Venturia, ND. Her faith continued to guide her through life, especially through her valiant struggle with cancer. She was actively involved in Trinity Lutheran Church for many years and Sacred Word Lutheran Church (both in Mobridge, SD) at the time of her death. She devoted years of service to both congregations, and was a committed choir and bell choir member, music being one of her greatest passions.

Being an only child, she formed close bonds with her extended family who were like siblings to her. She was always an animal lover and had many beloved pets throughout her life. In the 1980s, Yvonne even befriended a pigeon, Frederica (Freddie until the day she laid an egg in her hand), who found her way into her yard and heart and rode on her shoulder while biking around town. Always a friend to the feathered flock, they found a welcoming home in her yard stocked year-round with birdseed and a heated birdbath in winter.

Yvonne attended first grade in Danzig, ND and 2nd through 8th grade at Albright's Valley country school (6 miles north of Venturia, ND), a one-room school with 10-12 students of all grades. Instruction was in English, though many of the kids, including Yvonne, spoke German at home. The school was located about one mile from the Dockter farmstead and Yvonne's father drove her there, opting for a horse-drawn bobsled during the winter months.

She graduated from Ashley High School (ND) in 1955 with aspirations of becoming a teacher. Though her teaching dreams didn't materialize, she is remembered by her children for constantly correcting their grammar, fostering their love of literature and encouraging their pursuit of higher education.

Following graduation, Yvonne was employed as a stenographer with Crippled Children's Services in Bismarck, ND. She and Benjamin L. Retzer (Eureka, SD) were united in marriage on January 5, 1957 at Zion Lutheran Church in Venturia, ND. They moved to Norfolk, VA while Ben served in the Navy and moved to Aberdeen, SD once he was honorably discharged in 1958. The family moved to Webster, SD in 1963.

Vonnie worked in various capacities throughout the early years of raising her five children and began a 29-year career at Mobridge Regional Hospital in 1972. She started in the medical records department, was an administrative secretary, and ultimately worked as human resources manager until her retirement in 2001.

Yvonne and Ben also took in three foster children at various times over the years. The Retzer family moved to Mobridge, SD in 1968 and has remained there since.

Vonnie was involved in various card clubs and known for her competitive games of whist. She was a member of Women of the Moose. The daughter of wheat farmers, she spent hours working in her flower and vegetable gardens. Yvonne's greatest enjoyment in life came from her family and many friends who she loved to entertain on her summer patio. A talented seamstress with a wonderful eye, she will always be remembered for her love of fashion, even showing up for chemotherapy treatments stylishly dressed and wearing her signature lipstick and jewelry.

Although accomplished in all aspects of the kitchen, her greatest culinary joy was spoiling her family with delicious creations from her German heritage. She was also well known for her zesty pickles which she put up faithfully every year.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Olga (Pfiefle) Dockter, maternal grandparents Gotthilf and Katherina (Spitzer) Pfiefle, paternal grandparents Gottlieb and Rosina (Thurn) Dockter. Survivors include her husband, Benjamin, of Mobridge; daughter Debra (Michael) Tonner, of LeMars, IA, their children Brianna (Chicago, IL), Nathaniel (Vermillion, SD) and Andrew; daughter Dorinda (Kevin) Vojta, of Mobridge, their children Rachel and Logan; son Daniel (Laureen) Retzer, of Bothell, WA and their son Dalton; daughter Deanna (Stelian Dragan) Retzer, of Paget, Bermuda, their children Hudson and Hazel; and son Douglas (Erin) Retzer of Rapid City, SD, their children Miles and Marshall.

Also surviving her are in-laws Genevieve (Retzer) and Hilmer Opp, Robert and Darnelda (Stickelmyer) Retzer, and Don and Emilie (Retzer) Oster.

Services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge, SD on Saturday, February 16th at 2 p.m. Family services will be held at Kesling Funeral Home on Friday, February 15th at 7 p.m. Visitation begins at 2 p.m. on Friday.

Vonnie wishes to be cremated with her final resting place at Greenwood Cemetery in Mobridge, SD. Arrangements are being made for a memorial with her ashes during the summer of 2013.

Pallbearers are Mike Hoffman, Greg Retzer, Douglas Schlabsz, Michael and Nathaniel Tonner, and Kevin Vojta. Acolytes are Andrew Tonner and Logan Vojta.

Honorary pallbearers are Stelian Dragan, Dr. Marciano, Dr. Rao, Dr. Reule, her many hospital and church friends, and her beloved grandchildren.

We will always carry your memory in our hearts and sow your seeds of love in our gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Mobridge Swimming Pool Fund and Sacred Word Lutheran Church.