Darrel Rettig, age (84), of Dallas, Texas and formerly of Maquoketa, Iowa passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025 at his home in Dallas surrounded by loved ones.

Darrel was born on May 25th, 1941 in Lansing, Michigan to Clarence and Martha Rettig.  He grew up in Ohio (Grelton and McClure) and graduated from McClure High School in 1959.  As a boy during summers, Darrel proved himself as an entrepreneur mowing 25 lawns, washing cars, bailing hay and irrigating carrots.

Darrel was a member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church of McClure, Ohio before later becoming a member of the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Iowa.   In McClure, he attended confirmation class with his older brother because his mother thought it would be “a good learning experience.” And then again with his own confirmation class.  He enjoyed and participated in Luther League.  He was always expected to attend church on Sunday.

On Christmas Day, 1959, Darrel married his high school sweetheart Sharon Hoffman. Their love started at the school Christmas dance when Darrel asked Sharon to dance.  Darrel was 14 and Sharon was 15.  Darrel played varsity basketball as a freshman and was MVP both junior and senior years.  Darrel was the basketball player and Sharon the cheerleader.

After his high school class trip, Lowell Hoffman (who would become his father-in-law) asked Darrel to start the Maquoketa, Iowa location of Hoffman Eggs. During the next 44 years he served on the Maquoketa City council, Jackson County Hospital Foundation Board, and was the Maquoketa Country Club president.  Darrel also enjoyed coaching a boy’s little league team and his daughter’s softball team.

He and Sharon grew Hoffman Eggs in Maquoketa to be the leading processor of eggs in Iowa and other states east.  Darrel was a founder of Rembrandt Enterprises which became the 4th largest producer of eggs in the United States.

In Maquoketa, the Jaycees were an important part of his early career.  He served as President and in his tenure, the Jaycees started the Bellevue and Anamosa Reformatory chapters. He was elected the President of the Jaycees State Directors of Iowa, and he was Honored as an Outstanding Young Man in America in 1967.

Darrel was Patriotic with a passion for local, state and US politics.  At different events he saw George Romney, Barry Goldwater, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, John McCain, Barack Obama, George HW Bush, Bob and Elizabeth Dole and George W. Bush.  He was an avid reader of history and politics and collected a library of books and memorabilia that Sharon and his family will cherish.

He loved his wife deeply.  He taught, loved and bragged on his kids.  He was a cherished brother, a “hero” in fact to his brother Jerry.  And was a true friend to many.

Those left to honor Darrel’s memory are his loving wife of 65 years, Sharon of Dallas, TX, his son’s Dr. Jeffrey/Roxanne Rettig, of Groesbeck, TX and David/Jennifer Rettig of Champaign, IL., his daughter Susanne Rettig/Tracy Zaffino of Dallas, TX; his brother Jerry/Marge Rettig of Enola, PA; his grandchildren US Army Captain Ryan/Jasmine Rettig of Fort Meade, MD., Clayton/Kristin Rettig of Midland, TX, Austin/Leslie Rettig of Dallas, TX., Adrianne/Zach Ledford of Groesbeck, TX., Bogdan Rettig of Wisconsin Dells, WI., and Katya Rettig of Champaign IL., and 10 great grand-children: Jeffrey, Jackson, Jacquelyn Jace, Madeline, Everett, Liam, James, Thomas Rettig and Isaac Ledford.  Sister-in-law Cynthia Hoffman of Alpharetta, GA.  Nieces Kim Hamann, Becky Penrod, Tracy Maimone, Tina Roughton all of OH, Holly King of FL., Jill Rettig of PA, Lori Rettig of TX; last but not least, his goldendoodle Kash who misses him and who would jump up in the chair so Darrel could rub him from sitting in his motorized wheel chair.  Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law Gladden “Skip” and Joyce Rettig, his nephew Jacob Rettig, his parents-in-law, and his brother-in-law Fred Hoffman, his foster sister-in-law Sherri Merz and niece Kelli Witten.

In lieu of expressions of sympathy the family kindly requests remembrances to Merit Hospice 8350 N. Central Expressway, Suite M1019, Dallas, TX 75206, First Lutheran Church of Maquoketa, IA 52060 or help to Military, Children or Seniors.

A celebration of Darrel’s life will be held on September 6 at 10:00 am at the First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa, Iowa. The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.