Asella C. Rettler (nee Baier) of West Bend, formerly of Hartford, died Friday Nov. 23, 2001 at Cedar Lake Health Care Center in West Bend. She was 83.

Rettler was born on Jan. 2, 1918 in the town of Hartford to the late Michael and Anne (Bales) Baier.

On Nov. 22, 1938, she married Leo J. Rettler at St. Lawrence Catholic Church and farmed from 1938 until 1962. She also worked as an Inland Marine underwriter for West Bend Mutual for over 21 years, retiring in 1982.

She was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Church of West Bend, the Hartford Genealogical Society and a past member of the Washington County Historical Society.

She is survived by three daughters, Jeanette (Jerry) Downing of Reedsburg Elaine (Paul Sr.) Steger of Theresa and Bernice Rettler of West Bend; eight grandchildren, Doug Downing, Davind Downing, Kelly (Lor) Steiner, Sara (Eric) Powell, Barb (Ryan) Liebert, Bonnie (Jim) Narance, Brenda (Hugo) Rodriquez and Paul Jr. (Tracy) Steger; eight great grandchildren, Catin, Braze and Aybria Downing, Katie and Mike Liebert, Tony and Maria Rodriquez and Amya Steger; one sister-in-law, Helen Rettler of Hartford; and one brother, Harold (Alice) Baier of St. Lawrence; and other nieces, nephews, relatives and family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leo, and one brother-in-law, Armon Rettler.