Shirley Joanne

Rettke

Shirley Joanne Rettke was born on October 6, 1933 in Chehalis, WA, the 5th of 7 children born to Henry and Adeline Kerr. Shirley moved to Brookings, OR, with her parents and attended Jr. High and High School in Brookings. On January 6, 1952, Shirley married Gomer H. Rettke. Together they had 5 children and raised 2 grandchildren.

Shirley was a longtime member of the Brookings Church of the Nazarene where she served in numerous ministries including Women's Minstries, Children's Ministries, Missions, and taught adult Sunday School. Her passion was prayer ministries, and she led the weekly prayer group for many years. When she was no longer able to attend church in person beginning in 2020, she faithfully supported her church through her prayers and on-line services.

Grandma Shirley's prayers reached down through the generations of her family from her children to her great-great-grandchildren. Each of us knew we were continually held in her prayers.

We express our deepest appreciation to Lydia and Charlie Kennedy for the love and excellent care given to Shirley these last few years. There are no adequate words to express our gratitude. You started as friends and became family.

Shirley stepped peacefully into the presence of Jesus on August 31, 2026, shortly before her 93rd birthday.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gomer Rettke, siblings Bob, Carolyn, Miriam, Mid, Allen and Dean Kerr; sons David and Byron Rettke; great-granddaughter Kadence Holmes and great-great-grandson Kyrie Glisan.

She is survived by her sons Larry Rettke and Dale Rettke; daughter Cyndi Williams; grandchildren Kandi Rettke, Ryan Rettke, Chris Rettke, Eric Rettke, Tia Vaughn and Mark Ramsdell Jr, 15 great-grandchildren ad 15 great-great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Brookings Church of the Nazarene, 1600 Chetco Avenue (Highway 101), Brookings, Oregon.