Carsten Emmet Retrum

Carsten Emmet Retrum, just three weeks short of his one 100th birthday, died peacefully on Friday, June 29, 2018, at home. Born in Peterson, Minnesota, Carsten enjoyed a happy childhood with his two brothers, Rowland and Fergus, under the watchful eyes of their parents Flora and Obert Retrum. In 1944 Carsten married Anna Jean Davis, the love of his life. They were a loving and caring team for 59 years, until Anna Jean passed away in 2003. Carsten was a proud member of the Coast Guard Reserve and the United States Navy during World War II. In 1953, Carsten and his family moved to Fort Wayne where he worked for Capehart-Farnsworth and eventually ITT. He worked for ITT for more than 30 years, retiring as Vice President and Director of Operations. Carsten was an active and long-serving member of Taylor Chapel United Methodist Church. He also served on the YMCA Metro Board, the Old Fort YMCA Board, and volunteered for SCORE, the Sons of Norway, Hoosier Re-Leaf and numerous other organizations. He proudly presided over Ret's Vets. He was the recipient of many awards for his work and community service. Carsten was a devoted woodworker, creating beautiful handcrafted items for friends and family. In this and so many other things he was ably assisted by Carol Everest. Carsten is survived by his children Susan (Jeff), Eric (Carmen) and Robert Kurt (Anjie), his 15 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Funeral service is 11 a.m. Monday, July 2, 2018 at Taylor Chapel UMC at 10145 Maysville Road, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. Visitation also from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 2018, at D. O. McComb Maplewood Park Funeral Home at 4017 Maplecrest Road. Graveside service to follow service at Concordia Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Carsten may be made to Taylor Chapel, Hoosier Re-Leaf or Visiting Nurses Hospice of Fort Wayne.