DENNIS RETAN, Obituary

CHINOOK Dennis L. Retan, 56, died Friday, Nov. 1, 2002, at a Havre hospital due to natural causes.

Calling hours began at 5 p.m. Monday at the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services were scheduled for 2 p.m. today in the Edwards Funeral

Home Chapel. Burial with military honors was to follow in the Kuper Memorial Cemetery.

Dennis was born June 7, 1946, in Great Falls to Ronald and Marjorie (Virstgen) Retan.

He married Loretta First Raised on Dec. 18, 1992, in Havre. They lived in Malta until moving to Chinook in 1996. He retired after serving 30 years in the U.S. Navy. He was a highly decorated Vietnam veteran and was proud to have served his country. His commendations included Vietnam Service with two stars, Vietnam Campaign with device, Combat Action, Good Conduct Award (three awards), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Award, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Bronze Star, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Navy Battle "E".

Dennis was an avid gardener and enjoyed cooking and canning the vegetables he'd grown. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, camping and hunting.

He was preceded in death by a brother in 1984.

Survivors include his wife, Loretta Retan of Chinook; father, Robert Retan of Great Falls; mother, Marjorie Wright of Malta; son, John Retan of Malta; daughter, Martha Rose of Guam; stepson, Alvin Hopkins of Chinook; stepdaughters, Rochelle Hopkins of Box Elder and Sandra Gray of Helena; nine grandchildren; and numerous nephews.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.