Retha Faye (McReynolds) Rethmeier

Retha Faye (McReynolds) Rethmeier, age 93, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026. She was preceded by her husband of 51 Years, Rolland “Rip” Rethmeier.

Retha was born on September 13, 1932 in Dorchester, NE, to Robert Lee and Bertha (Beggs) McReynolds, the youngest child by 15 minutes, joining big brother Robert and twin sister, Ruth. 

After graduating high school, where she played basketball, she continued her education by going to nursing school. There she met the love of her life, Rolland “Rip” Rethmeier, who was home on leave from the US Navy. After completing her nursing studies, becoming a Registered Nurse, and Rip’s discharge from the Navy, they married and moved to South Dakota where Rip continued toward his goal of becoming a teacher.  Son Blaine was born two years later and was followed by a move to Eastern Oregon where Retha worked in the local hospital as an OB-GYN nurse and Rip as a science teacher. Daughter Jodi was born four years later, completing the family.

After working in the hospital for several years, and another move to Central Oregon, Retha changed direction and went to work in a medical clinic. She thoroughly enjoyed her clinical duties, and was full of stories regaling her time being the only nurse with ten doctors and the different procedures and minor surgeries they performed, such as tonsillectomies.

Retha and Rip relocated to St Helens and then Scappoose where they lived for several years as Rip was an elementary school Principal, and Retha began her long career working with the Red Cross in the blood collection division. Many years later, while in nursing school herself, daughter Jodi recalls her mom talking her through her first blood draw practice while on the phone. Jodi is fond of saying that if anyone can get blood out of a turnip, it’s her mom!

After Rip’s retirement they moved to Portland and built their dream home. Retha retired from the Red Cross after 30 years and she and Rip continued traveling and spending time with family, especially their grandchildren, Taylor and Hailey. After Rip’s passing, Retha enjoyed being a Docent at the Pittock Mansion for several years giving tours until the Covid pandemic.

Retha enjoyed being a world traveler, watching Blazer basketball, flower arranging, making elegant dinners and desserts, and shopping!

Retha is also preceded in death by her parents, Robert Lee and Bertha McReynolds, brother Robert McReynolds, twin sister Ruth Parks, and son in law Michael Hoag. 

She is survived by son Blaine and daughter in law Dalene of Portland, OR., daughter Jodi Hoag of Mobile, AL., grandson Taylor (Kate), granddaughter Hailey (Sean) Stauffer-Person, and great grandchildren Nora and Henry, all of Portland.

Interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery where Retha will be reunited with Rip for eternity.

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