Cover photo for Christopher James Reteneller's Obituary
Christopher James Reteneller Profile Photo

Christopher James Reteneller

January 31, 1980 — March 27, 2023

Christopher James Reteneller

Emblem

Christopher James Reteneller, of Gretna, NE, passed away March 27th, 2023 after battling cancer for more than a year and a half.

Chris was born on January 31st, 1980, to Joseph J. and Maryann Reteneller in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Cinnaminson High School, he went on to graduate from the United States Air Force Academy. He then attended flight training at the 14th Flying Training Wing, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

After graduation, he began his lifelong career as an Officer for the United States Air Force. While stationed at Offutt AFB early in his career, he met and fell in love with Jill. Through their 15 years of marriage, Chris and Jill went on to have two children, Connor and Avery. Chris was a devoted father, husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor and so much more to us. He was extremely supportive of those in his life and could always be counted on to be there for someone in need.

He was born to be a pilot and completed multiple tours of duty before retiring as a Lt Col after 20 years of service. When Chris wasn’t in his element flying at work or teaching future pilots, he could regularly be found spending time with his family. He enjoyed cooking, visiting with family near and far, supporting his kids at their various activities, cheering on the Eagles, and just being an all-around family man.

Chris was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph A. and Grace Reteneller as well as Michael and Millie Castagno. He is survived by his wife, Jill (Guenther); his children, Connor and Avery; his parents, Joseph J. and Maryann; his siblings, Joe (Ann Marie) Reteneller, Stacie (Ron) Sims; Michael (Pam) Reteneller; his mother and father-in-law, Duane and Elaine Guenther, as well as multiple brother and sister in laws, nieces, and nephews.

The funeral will be held on Monday, April 3rd, 2023. Funeral mass will be at 10AM at Saint Patrick's Church in Gretna, NE. A luncheon will follow the mass, and then the burial will be at 2:30PM at the Veterans National Cemetery (14250 Schram Rd. Omaha, NE 68138). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the academy where Chris graduated and was later an instructor pilot. Association of Graduates, Graduate Dependent Scholarships Endowment, 3116 Academy Drive, USAF Academy CO 80840.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Christopher James Reteneller, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Funeral Service

Monday, April 3, 2023

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

St Patrick Catholic Church

508 W Angus Rd, Gretna, NE 68028

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Graveside Service

Monday, April 3, 2023

Starts at 2:30 pm (Central time)

Omaha National Cemetery

14250 Schram Rd, Omaha, NE 68138

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 2498

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree