Welcome from Retz Funeral Home Sheffield, Meservey and Thornton, Iowa

Wartnaby & Atkinson Furniture, Floor Coverings and Undertaking began in 1902 in Sheffield. The Funeral Home was in several locations on Gilman Street before Archie Wartnaby split off the furniture store and moved to the current location, 203 Maple Street.

Archie was the youngest funeral director/embalmer in Iowa. When he retired in the 1960’s he was the oldest funeral director in Iowa.

Eldon Grarup purchased the funeral homes in 1960 and built the chapel adjacent to the house. For a time it was known as Wartnaby-Grarup Funeral Home, then as Grarup Funeral Home. Locations were added in Thornton and Meservey as Archie and Eldon were already serving many families in those communities. Eldon sold the funeral homes to his son, Peter, who operated them for several years.

In 1999 Peter Grarup sold the funeral homes to Oakcrest Funeral Services in Algona. They changed the name to Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf-Grarup Funeral Homes. In February 2001, Fred Retz joined the staff and began to purchase the funeral homes in Sheffield, Meservey and Thornton. In June 2001 a new chapel in Thornton opened, this is a modern facility with no stairs and a large chapel.

In December 2002 name changed to Retz-Grarup Funeral Home after Fred and his wife Nancy purchased a larger interest in the business. In September 2004 Fred and Nancy Retz became full owners of the Retz-Grarup Funeral Homes in Sheffield, Meservey and Thornton. They continue to live in the funeral home in Sheffield with their four children.

In June 2009 the name was changed again; now Retz Funeral Home.

As a member of the community, a family owned funeral home helps keep the local economy strong. When local services are provided by out of town or corporate owned funeral homes the family’s investment leaves the community.

Hometown funeral directors are active in local organizations and support other local businesses and churches. While few people look forward to needing the services of a funeral home having a friend and neighbor who can help you at your time of need is sometimes the most valuable resource.

Fred Retz

‘Your Hometown Funeral Director’