Henrietta "Retta" Van Wyhe

After a long illness, Henrietta (Retta) Van Wyhe, 98, passed away Thursday, November 20, 2014. Born December 31, 1915, in Steen, Minnesota, to Reverend Gerrit and Alice Bosch, Retta graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, with a degree in education. On September 18, 1940, she married Vernon Van Wyhe and raised a family on a farm near Rock Rapids, Iowa. Retta was very gifted and active in women's ministry. She traveled extensively for the Reformed Church denomination as a speaker for women's groups. She was a member of the Reformed Church denominational General Program Council for six years and served on the national Executive Committee for four of those years. Later, she was chosen to participate on the "Committee of 18" to help the denomination reconcile differences within the Reformed Church nationwide. Retta also served as Chair of the Classical Union of Church Women for two terms and Chair of Spiritual Life on the Synodical Board of Church Women for four years. When Retta moved to Fort Collins, she attended First Presbyterian Church and served as an elder. She was also a member of Copes, worked extensively on retreats, and enjoyed the Presbyterian women's circles and Disciple classes. In addition to her church work, Retta volunteered for the community and the hospital, and enjoyed visiting the elderly in care centers. Retta taught in a "one room" schoolhouse instructing grades Kindergarten through 12 for five years before raising her family. Later, she attended Augustana College and Sioux Falls College, receiving her certification in deaf education. Upon finishing, she taught hearing impaired preschoolers at Hope Haven in Rock Valley, Iowa, for eight years and was beloved by her students and their families. Retta was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Vic Van Wyhe and an infant son, in addition to her parents, a sister, and three brothers. She is survived by two sons, Norman Van Wyhe (Janet Coke) and Galen (Kathy) Van Wyhe, a daughter, Fern (Dan) Lawler, and a daughter-in-law, Donna Van Wyhe. She also enjoyed seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 26, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church, 531 South College, Fort Collins, Colorado, with interment at Lester, Iowa.