Irene Rethman 1939-2023

Irene J. Rethman, 84, Holton, died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at Medicalodges Jackson County in Holton.

She was born May 8, 1939, at Odebolt, Iowa, the daughter of John and Helen Neu Taphorn. She graduated from nursing school in Omaha, Neb.

Mrs. Rethman was a nurse at Merry Manor Nursing Home, and later was a counselor at St. Francis Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in Topeka.

She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton and the Altar Society at the church.

She married Walter “Pete” Rethman on Oct. 8, 1966, in Omaha, Neb. He died Oct. 5, 2018.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Ray, Jim, Bob, Walter and Werner; and four sisters, Rieta, Marion, Clara and Joan.

Survivors include two sons, Jason Rethman, Tempe, Ariz., and Jarred Rethman and wife Amy, Netawaka; two sisters, Sister Janet Taphorn, OSF, Sioux City, Iowa, and Lois Galles, Kingsley, Iowa; and two grandchildren, Logan Touslee and husband Tanner and Kolby Rethman and wife Kinley.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 at St. Dominic Catholic Church. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. that afternoon in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery at Seneca. A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, followed by visitation until 8 p.m. at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Irene Rethman Memorial Fund, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436.