Gene Bretey, 72, of Carroll, died Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll surrounded by his family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott. Music will be by Kate Cuddy, Todd Karolczak and the St. Lawrence Choir. Mass Servers will be Emma and Madison Shook. Lector will be Gerald Bretey. Gift Bearers will be Katelyn Bretey, Brooke Fortner, Joshua Langel, Autumn Fortner, Carter Bretey, and Madisyn Bretey. Eucharistic Ministers will be Lois Shook, Keith Bretey and Shirley Scanlan. Casket Bearers will be Scott Bretey, Clayton Bretey, Chad Shook, Eric Bretey, Shane Bretey, Nick Langel, Micaela Bretey, Megan Langel, and Tyler Bretey. Burial will be in the Carroll City Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 5 p.m. Monday, where there will be a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m.
The casket will be moved to St. Lawrence Church at 9 a.m. Tuesday where visitation will resume until the time of the funeral mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Gene’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Gene’s name and may be left at the funeral home or at the church.
Born on August 10, 1942 in Odebolt, Iowa, Gene Raymond was the son of Leslie and Bernice (Bauer) Bretey. The family lived in Odebolt until 1949 when they moved to a farm north of Arion. Gene was baptized at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt and was confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dow City, Iowa.
Gene received his elementary education through 7th grade at country school in Paradise Township, and graduated high school from Denison Community Schools in 1961. Gene joined the National Guard in 1961 and was honorably discharged in 1968. For one summer Gene drove a stock car at the Denison raceway.
On September 11, 1965, Gene was united in marriage to Judith Ann Ladwig at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dow City. The couple lived in Dunlap and Denison before making their home in Carroll in 1974. Gene was an over the road truck driver and “Silver Dollar” was his radio handle. Over the years he drove for Othmar Schnueltgen, Allied Van Lines, Film Transport, Grothaus, and for Crouse Cartage Company from 1972 until his final retirement in 2000. Gene won several state awards in Iowa truck rodeos and won 3rd place at the National Truck Rodeo in 1979.
Gene had a love for life and was always smiling. He was a devoted husband and enjoyed his family above everything. He was an avid camper and especially enjoyed their longtime membership at Cloud 9 Ranch in Caulfield, Missouri, taking the ATV, and riding the trails. He also enjoyed playing cards and going to his grandchildren’s various activities. Gene was a member of St. Lawrence Parish and often volunteered to be an usher and gift collector.
Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Judith Bretey of Carroll; three children: Tina Bretey (fiancé Mike Allen) of Carroll, Tammy (Curt) Langel of Carroll, and Travis (Maria) Bretey of Carroll; ten grandchildren: Brooke and Autumn Fortner, Nick, Megan, and Josh Langel, Micaela, Tyler, Katelyn, Carter and Madisyn Bretey; his siblings: Lois (Paul) Shook of Denison, Gerald (Karen) Bretey of Clive, Leroy (Patty) Bretey of Omaha, NE, John (Marcia) Bretey of Carroll, and Bill (Mary) Bretey of Fairmont, MN; his mother-in-law, Helma Ladwig of Denison, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Nellie (Tudy) Bretey of Denison, Larry (Annie) Ladwig of Phoenix, AZ, Bill Ladwig of McPherson, KS, Gary (Nancy) Ladwig of Charter Oak, Glen (Maralee) Ladwig of Savage, MN; Carol (Gale) Reis of Denison; Donna Ladwig of Carroll, and Debra (Adam) Lahlou of Centennial, CO, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Dale Bretey, and his father-in-law William Ladwig.
