Louise Rettig

Louise Elizabeth (Ash) Rettig, went to rest in the loving arms of her Savior on December 7, 2025. She was born to Edward and Elizabeth (Higgerson) Ash on September 22, 1935, minutes after the birth of her twin brother, Louis Ash, in Muscatine, Iowa. She grew up during the Depression and World War II and graduated from Muscatine High School in 1953. Louise married John Rettig in 1955. From that marriage, two children, Bambi and Tom, were born and raised. The family moved to Council Bluffs in 1959 and shortly after arriving, they became members of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Louise was employed by Northwestern Bell and AT&T for over 30 years. She loved to sing and had a beautiful alto voice. She was very creative and talented. She sewed, knitted, crocheted, did drawings and oil paintings, embroidered, and made numerous beautiful quilts and blankets. She was a longtime member of the church choir and volunteered at her church assembling Braille Bibles and working in the school's library. She traveled, loved spending time with her family and friends and especially loved the Christmas season.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law, Mary Ann Ash, her son Tom, and two infant daughters; Penni and Ann.

Louise is survived by her daughter, Bambi and her husband James Heckerman, her granddaughters Jamie Heckerman (Ryan Stevens), Megan Heckerman (Michael Curatolo) and great-grandson Rowen Stevens, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The visitation and funeral are scheduled Monday, December 15, 2025 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church (239 Frank St. Council Bluffs, IA). Visitation begins at 10am and the funeral at 11am. A luncheon will be served in the church's undercroft immediately following the funeral. Louise will be buried alongside her parents and children in Greenwood Cemetery in Muscatine, Iowa in the Spring.

Memorials are suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Early Childhood Center.