Calvin A. Reetz
April 24, 1925 – October 26, 2005

Calvin Reetz, 80, of West Branch, died Wednesday, October 26, 2005, at West Branch Regional Medical Center. Cal was active with the MMSA, participating in the fall tours and the international conventions, as well as being an integral part of Ron’s Pure Maple Syrup (Ron Thomas).

At the time of his death, Cal and his wife, Joan, were supposed to be in Three Rivers, Quebec with many other association members celebrating the production of maple syrup throughout North America. He so enjoyed those trips. In fact, the final banquet of the NAMSC took place on the evening he died, yet, Cal was still announced as the 3rd place winner of the maple cream competition (we don’t know how that happened – it was entered under Ron’s name).

Cal lived in West Branch his whole life and was an active member of the community: member of the Rose City Lion’s Club, past board member of the West Branch Farmers Cooperative and the Ogemaw Soil Conservation, a member of the Ogemaw County Farm Bureau, the Michigan Milk Producers, the Ogemaw County Fair Board, and the Holy Family Catholic Church and the K of C #8948.

Cal is survived by his wife, Joan, of West Branch; children Bruce (Michelle) Reetz and Jeffrey (Carrie) Reetz, both of West Branch, Brenda Reetz (Michael Kelly) of Grand Ledge, Debbi (Ron) Thomas of Rose City, James (Tobi) Reetz of Littleton, CO, and David (Mary Kay) Reetz of Mt. Pleasant; 14 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; sisters Thelma Brick of Kalkaska and Laura Walter of West Branch; and his brother, Walter Reetz of West Branch.