Terrence "Terry" George Tretbar

TERRENCE GEORGE “Terry” TRETBAR  July 15, 1951 - February 9, 2020                   Terrence George “Terry” Tretbar, age 68, a lifelong Osage, MN area resident, peacefully passed into Heaven’s glory at the home of his sister, Phyllis near Osage on Sunday morning, February 9, 2020 with his loved ones at his side.                 Terry was born on July 15, 1951 to George and Margie (Lehrke) Tretbar in Park Rapids, MN.  He attended the Andrews Country School near his parent’s farm through the fifth grade and then went on to attend the Osage Public School for the sixth grade.  He then attended Junior and Senior High School in Park Rapids, from where he graduated with the Class of 1969.  Terry then continued his education at the Staples Vocational-Technical College where he studied automotive mechanics.  Early in his career, Terry worked for the Bateman Garage in Osage and Thelen Motors in Park Rapids.  He then ventured on his own operating his automotive repair company at his home in Osage.  On July 14, 1973, Terry was united in marriage to Joyce Kay Tyge in an outdoor ceremony held on Straight Lake in Osage.  Their union was blessed with two daughters: Janet and Christy.  Terry was very musical and played bass guitar and was lead vocalist for the Hazzard Band and later the Reminder Band both bands being popular at wedding dances and other musical venues keeping busy almost every weekend throughout the region.  Terry learned to play musical instruments and sing all by ear as he could not read music.  He also memorized the words of every song he sang.  He stopped performing in 2014. Terry also enjoyed working with his brother-in-law, Dale Tyge in the summers with his tree trimming business.  He was deeply saddened by the death of his wife and forever best friend, Joyce in 2015 and his daughter, Janet in 2018 both who died following valiant battles against cancer.  Throughout his life, Terry was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Ponsford.  He enjoyed following the Park Rapids Panthers sports teams and attended many sporting events.   Terry always enjoyed the challenge of a good crossword puzzle and enjoyed building woodworking projects as gifts for his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed his daily trips for coffee to OBT in Osage and The Good Life Café in Park Rapids where he enjoyed time spent and stories shared with his friends there.  Above all, Terry will be remembered for his devotion to his wife, his children, and his grandchildren who he loved with all his heart.                 He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Christy (Kevin) Byer of Osage; his five dearly loved grandchildren: Brady, Samantha, Connor, Logan, and Kortne; three precious great-grandchildren: Jack, Leah, and Noah; his three sisters: Lois Sather of Bottineau, ND, Phyllis (Gary) Pritchard of Osage, MN and Christy (Rick) Schmitz of Cincinnati, Ohio; two brothers: Paul Tretbar of Ponsford and Donnie Tretbar of Osage, MN; lifelong neighbor and friend, George Buck of Osage who was someone Terry could always count on; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.                 Terry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Joyce and his daughter, Janet.                 Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, February 15, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. Delwyn Maas officiating.  The organist will be Mark Tretbar.  Casket bearers will be: Brady Wolf, Logan Wolf, Connor Byer, George Buck, Danny Philaja, and Johnny Mack.  The honorary casket bearers will be Terry’s good friends who he affectionately referred to as, “The Good Life Café Girls”.  Interment will be made at the St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery at Ponsford.  Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, February 14, 2020 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and will continue at St John’s Lutheran Church on Saturday beginning one hour prior to the service. Following the service, Terry’s church family from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will host a luncheon for all.     To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com