Memories & Candles
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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 for...Read More »
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1 of 15 | Posted by: Tom & Paulette French - Richland, 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 that...Read More »
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2 of 15 | Posted by: Dan & Marty Collins - Kennewick, 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...Read More »
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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...Read More »
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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 him...Read More »
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5 of 15 | Posted by: Carl/Winnie Shepherd - Richland, 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...Read More »
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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...Read More »
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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...Read More »
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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 the...Read More »
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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 kind...Read More »
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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 looking...Read More »
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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
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