Kaymary Rettig (Young)

GRAND RAPIDS — Kaymary Rettig (Young), age 80, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2024. Kaymary was born on April 19, 1944, in St. Johns to the late Chalmer and Katherine (Hileman) Young. She was also preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, John and Carole Young. Kaymary was raised in Bay City and graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1962. She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in early elementary education. In 1969, she received a master’s degree in library science from the University of Southern California. Kaymary furthered her education by taking business administration courses. She completed her CPA in 1980 after finishing course work at Northern Michigan University. Kaymary worked in the accounting field in Escanaba before moving to Grand Rapids in 2013 to be near her grandchildren. On June 25, 1966, she married James Rettig. Her husband of 58 years survives as do their son, David Rettig, and his children, Lily and Eli and their daughter, Kate (John Matthew) Lane, and their children, John, Jaiden, and Dream. Kaymary had a lifelong passion for horses. In her childhood, she played with a group of girls known as the Fifth Street Five, galloping through the neighborhood. She would later own her own horses and spend time working on ranches out West. Kaymary would beam knowing her grandson Eli inherited her love of horses. She loved the ballet. She and her granddaughter, Lily, attended the ballet together inspiring Lily to pursue an interest in culture and athletics. Kaymary’s friends and family will always remember her kindness and concern for others. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of her Life will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, with Rev. W. Frederick Wooden officiating. Friends may visit with her family beginning at 10 a.m., with a luncheon following the service. To read more of Kaymary’s Life Story, leave a memory or sign the guestbook, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.