Retz Funeral Home – 1952
The 1926 Retz Funeral Home at 315 E. Sixth (formerly Opp & Conrad Funeral Home) is a contributing property of the Helena Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The listing reads:
Jacob Opp and his sons Lawrence and Arthur worked for the longtime undertaking firm of Herrmann and Company before opening their own mortuary with partner Ralph J. Conrad in 1926.
Both Lawrence and Arthur Opp were graduates of Chicago’s prestigious Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Unlike the Opps, Conrad was new to the funeral business; he previously managed the Bozeman telephone exchange.
The partners hired builder George Jacoby to construct this facility specifically as a funeral home. Its gently pitched roof, exposed rafter tails, and mixed materials of brick and stucco harmonize with the urban landscape. Concrete-capped brick piers flanking a sleek panel of glass blocks, centered beneath the roof’s peak, emphasize a horizontal orientation popular at the time. Finely crafted leaded, beveled, and stained-glass windows enhance the façade while handsome wood finishing completes the interior.
The state-of-the-art facility was Helena’s first undertaking firm to use limousine-type vehicles, thus eliminating antiquated conveyances traditionally associated with funerals. Opp and Conrad operated until 1954 when the name changed to the Retz Funeral Home.”
Retz Funeral Home & Crematory has played a prominent role in the history and shaping of Helena and the surrounding communities. We invite you to visit the news clippings and photo album below which shows some of the history of this Helena institution.
Retz Funeral Home & Crematory has been serving the needs of families in Helena and the surrounding communities since 1926. Over the many decades, countless things have changed, including customs and technologies. And while Retz Funeral Home & Crematory has kept pace with the changes of Montanans, the principles, ethics and philosophies upon which Retz Funeral Home & Crematory was built remain steadfast.
The facilities and staff of Retz Funeral Home & Crematory is now a part of the prestigious ASW & Retz Funeral Homes, and are fully committed to serving families of all faiths and beliefs with unwavering dignity, respect and support. Our reputation for service is both well-known and unparalleled, and we will go to any lengths to fulfill the needs and wishes of the families that come to us during a most difficult time.
Please click on a thumbnail to view a larger image. Enjoy!
Many thanks to helenahistory.org for maintaining such complete records of all things Helena. Without their diligent efforts, much of the rich history of Retz Funeral Home would not be available.
