George Retzlaff, 89, of Hutchinson passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Funeral Service was Thursday, December 19, 2024, 11 a.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment in Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Cosmos.
 Clergy Officiating: Pastor Brian Nehring; Organist: Bonnie Westmiller; Congregational Hymns: “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”; Special Music: “Could I Have This Dance” by Anne Murray; Honorary Casket Bearers: Dion Carter, Tim Franzeen, Mitch Simmons, Amanda Haik, Lydia Simmons, Hunter Simmons; Casket Bearers: Butch Olson, Morris Rettman, Dan Kenning, Greg Wesenberg, Kyle Krattenmaker, Ali Simmons
 George Carl John Retzlaff was born on March 19, 1935, in Cedar Mills Township, rural Hutchinson. He was the son of Otto and Anna (Schlueter) Retzlaff. George was baptized as an infant on March 31, 1935, by Pastor A.C. Krueger at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cedar Mills Township, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on May 15, 1949, by Pastor Edward Kaiser at Trinity Lutheran Church, Brookfield Township. He received his education through the eighth grade at country school.
 On October 18, 1957, George was united in marriage to Carol Ortloff. This marriage was blessed with two daughters, Lisa and Michelle. George resided in Hutchinson all his life.
 George was a truck driver for Peterson’s from Cosmos. He was also employed at Ty’s Metaling and Finishing in Hutchinson, Drag Specialty, and New Dimensions, all while farming. George was an active member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
 George was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed seasonal camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, gardening and playing with the dogs. He also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. For many years, if you wanted to find George, he would either be on a lake or somewhere on a pitcher’s mound. He played with many teams over the years competing in both state and local tournaments. George went on to coach his daughter’s softball teams, and loved watching his grandchildren play as well. He was inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame in 2014.
 Blessed be his memory.
 George is survived by his daughters, Lisa Carter and her husband Dion of Hutchinson, Michelle Franzeen and her husband Tim of Buffalo Lake; significant other Linda Peterson of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Kyle Krattenmaker and his girlfriend Amanda Haik of Litchfield, Ali (Mitch) Simmons of Darwin; great-grandchildren, Lydia and Hunter Simmons of Darwin; sisters-in-law, Bernice Retzlaff of Cosmos, Virginia Retzlaff of Hutchinson; many other relatives and friends.
 George is preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Anna Retzlaff; siblings, Ervin (Florence) Retzlaff, Dorothy (Ken) Konietzko, Elmer Retzlaff, Milan (Arlene) Retzlaff, Alvin Retzlaff, Daniel Retzlaff.
 Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guestbook available at www.hantge.com.