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“Nita, We send our love. You have always been such an encourager to our whole family. We pray that Jesus, Our Strength for today and Bright Hope...
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1 of 15 | Posted by: Tom & Paulette French WA
“Nita, you know our prayers are with you during this difficult time. Don was such a special person not only to us but lots of other people. Know...
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”
2 of 15 | Posted by: Dan & Marty Collins WA
“Nita and family, I am so sad about hearing of Don's passing. He was a terrific man who I loved alot. I will always remember him as playing the...
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”
3 of 15 | Posted by: Dwight & Audrey Petersen OR
“Dear Nita and Family, I'm saddened to hear about the loss of Don. I first met Don in Twin Falls, Idaho. Our careers ended up taking us to Pasco...
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4 of 15 | Posted by: Chuck Mitchell Pasco, WA
“We were saddened to hear about Don. We really didn't get acquainted with him...but know it will make a difference in the life of those who loved...
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5 of 15 | Posted by: Carl/Winnie Shepherd WA
“Dear Nita and Family' Think of you often,my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care. With love, Martha Jahuke
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6 of 15 | Posted by: Martha Jahuke Richland WA
“Family get togethers will not be the same. Don was a very nice person, I'll miss not seeing him again. Jay
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7 of 15 | Posted by: Jay Webber kennewick WA
“Nita, I am so sorry. I was really shook up when I read about Don. Its been a lot of years ago, but when I first saw Don he was playing at the...
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8 of 15 | Posted by: Judy Ostler Pasco, WA
“Nita, Sorry to here about Don. May the Lord comford you in this time, and always.
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9 of 15 | Posted by: David & Debbie Garrison WA
“I really enjoyed association with Don on his volunteer day once a month at FCHS. He was friendly and interesting to talk with. I was even able to...
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10 of 15 | Posted by: Beverly Stevens Pasco, WA
“Dearest Nita, I am so saddened to hear of Don's passing away. This is a time of gathering up the wonderful memories and share with friends and...
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11 of 15 | Posted by: Maxine Lye WA
“Don is a very talented musician...He layed with my step-dad Rusty Smith-steel guitar( Westernaires) alongside many others..I was just a teen at...
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12 of 15 | Posted by: Tammi Plum Richland, WA
“I met Don when I started working at the Franklin County Historical Society & Museum in 2002. Knowing him has enriched my life. He had such a...
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13 of 15 | Posted by: Sherel Webb, FCHS Administrator WA
“HI Nita, We were so sorry to hear of Don's passing, Beth called us. We want to come to the memorial service to be there with you. I will keep...
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14 of 15 | Posted by: Helen Bixby Yakima, WA
“Don blessed the residents and staff of the Royal Columbian Retirement Inn with his music and quick smile. We will truly miss him.
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15 of 15 | Posted by: Pat Roberts (Royal Columbian) WA
Donald E. Rettinghouse departed this world to be with his creator on November 19, 2009, not as he wished, but according to God's Plan. Don was born January 3, 1933 in Berwick, ND to Johanna Klause and George 'Arthur' Rettinghouse, moving to Twin Falls, ID 10 months later. As a young boy he loved to go hunting, fishing and the five cent movies on Saturday. He developed a love for horses and was soon working livestock sales on his own horse. During the summer of his high school years he wrangled on the cattle ranches in Nevada, roping, branding and driving cattle to sales. He began learning and playing guitar with his father, who played violin. He and his four siblings were blessed with a gift of musicsang and harmonized on every occasion as they were growing up. After high school he spent the summer as a Dude Wrangler in Sun Valley, ID. In 1952, at 19, he moved to Pasco, where his father operated Pasco Radiator on the corner of 2nd and Columbia. He joined the Army during the Korean War which ended while he was still in Basic Training. He was stationed in Anchorage, AK until his Honorable Discharge in 1955. He met and married his one and only, Juanita (Benson) Johnson in 1956, along with a stepson. They celebrated 53 years together and were blessed with two more sons. Don worked briefly as a salesman for Stromme Motors, and NP Railway, but retired after 30 years as a member of Teamsters Local #839 as a local delivery truck driver. He began playing western music professionally in the early 60's, and was a member of the Musicians Local #524. He played throughout the Columbia Basin with the 'Westernairs' and Donna Jean's 'Country Affair'. In the early 1990's, after early retirement he began playing for local retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and elder day care. He was renowned for his 'popcorn' generously shared with family, friends and the Franklin County Historical Society where he volunteered for many years. In 2005 he was unexpectedly diagnosed with Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia (CLL) after many years as a regular blood donor. In December of 2008, after a bad cold he began to lose his voice. After many frustrating months a biopsy revealed a carcinoma tumor on his vocal cord. During the proceding months he continued to sing. In September of 2009 he began chemo and radiation therapy to eradicate/shrink the tumor. In a matter of weeks the Leukemia began to accelerate and within a week he became extremely anemic and severely jaundiced. Don was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings, Dorothy (Bob) Lilly, Phyllis (Carl) Billings and George Rettinghouse, and a beloved mother-in-law Esther (Benson) Covington. In addition to his wife Nita, he is survived by stepson Andy Johnson (Pasco), sons Garth (Kennewick) and Joel (Spokane); sister Joan Pryor-Marks (Keith), Aunt Marion Unser (Yakima). Don had ten grandchildren, Michael Johnson, Summer Singer (Paul), Amber Johnson, Jason Johnson, Brent and Rheannon Nunamaker, Brandon and Cody Rettinghouse, Jaime and Josh Rettinghouse. Greatgrandchildren Mikey Johnson, Daicee, Logan, and Ashton Singer, Samantha Hubble, Jadyn Nunamaker and numerous nieces and nephews. No flowers please, memorial donations may be made to the Franklin County Historical Society Endowment, PHS 1946, at 305 N. Fourth Ave., Pasco, WA 99301
No photos have been provided by the family or the funeral home.
Nita, We send our love. You have always been such an encourager to our whole family. We pray that Jesus, Our Strength for today and Bright Hope for tomorrow, will give you the comfort you need at this time. "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2 Cor 5:8 We can cry with you and smile, since Don is now in his heavenly home.
Posted by: Tom & Paulette French Richland, WA Nov 28, 2009
Nita, you know our prayers are with you during this difficult time. Don was such a special person not only to us but lots of other people. Know that he will always be watching over you. All our love and prayers Dan & Marty
Posted by: Dan & Marty Collins Kennewick, WA Nov 27, 2009
Nita and family, I am so sad about hearing of Don's passing. He was a terrific man who I loved alot. I will always remember him as playing the guitar at my birthday over at Patty & Carls. He always made me having a birthday special! Our prayers are with you all... Audrey & Dwight
Posted by: Dwight & Audrey Petersen Pendleton, OR Nov 27, 2009
Dear Nita and Family, I'm saddened to hear about the loss of Don. I first met Don in Twin Falls, Idaho. Our careers ended up taking us to Pasco where we re-connected and remained friends ever since. Don always had time to stop and visit. He always mentioned his family and how much he thought of them. I am really going to miss him. He was a great friend. Chuck Mitchell
Posted by: Chuck Mitchell Pasco, WA Nov 27, 2009
We were saddened to hear about Don. We really didn't get acquainted with him...but know it will make a difference in the life of those who loved him. May God bless and comfort all of you. God will provide for you Nita. He loves you and protects you. Blessings.
Posted by: Carl/Winnie Shepherd Richland, WA Nov 25, 2009
Dear Nita and Family' Think of you often,my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care. With love, Martha Jahuke
Posted by: Martha Jahuke Richland, WA Nov 25, 2009
Family get togethers will not be the same. Don was a very nice person, I'll miss not seeing him again. Jay
Posted by: Jay Webber kennewick, WA Nov 25, 2009
Nita, I am so sorry. I was really shook up when I read about Don. Its been a lot of years ago, but when I first saw Don he was playing at the Palam Tavern. I wasn't even old enough to be there but me and my husband at the time went in there to dance. We got to know Don and I loved to hear him sing. He found out that my ex husband was a musician and everytime we went in there to dance, he would get him up there to sing. I learned how to play the drums and Don played with us at some gigs. He was a wonderfull man and gave everybody a chance to sing. What a voice. He is with the Lord now, a much better place. He will be missed.
Posted by: Judy Ostler Pasco, WA Nov 25, 2009
Nita, Sorry to here about Don. May the Lord comford you in this time, and always.
Posted by: David & Debbie Garrison Kennewick, WA Nov 25, 2009
I really enjoyed association with Don on his volunteer day once a month at FCHS. He was friendly and interesting to talk with. I was even able to find the words for a couple of songs he wanted on-line. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Posted by: Beverly Stevens Pasco, WA Nov 24, 2009
Funeral Service:
November 28 2009
1:00 PM
Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home
1401 S. Union
Kennewick, WA 99338
