Reuben P. Bretschneider

NORFOLK -- Graveside services for Reuben P. Bretschneider, 85, of Pierce will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Pleasant Valley Cemetery south of Norfolk with military rites by American Legion Post 72. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Immanuel Luthean Church in Hadar. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Monday at Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce. The Rev. Nathan Winkel will officiate. He died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, at Norfolk Veterans Home. He was born Aug. 3, 1925, at Norfolk to Arno and Frieda (Lierman) Bretschneider. He was baptized Aug. 23, 1925, and confirmed May 12, 1940. He attended District 11 in Madison County through the eighth grade. He married Merna Bauer Oct. 2, 1949, at St Paul's Lutheran Church at Norfolk. Reuben lived in Madison County until his marriage in 1949, then made Pierce County their residence, farming. Reuben and his wife enjoyed spending winters in Arizona and camping. In October 2009, the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Reuben was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Hadar in which he served in various offices through the years. Reuben was a member of the Pierce American Legion. He served in the U S. Army during World War II, in the European theater, from Sept. 1, 1944, to July 8, 1946, receiving several medals. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church at Hadar. Survivors include wife Merna Bretschneider; five children, son Randy and wife Kathy Bretschneider, Pierce, son Rick and wife Amy Bretschneider, Pierce, daughter Cindy and husband Tom Zarnstorff, Anchorage, Alaska, Kevin and wife Roxanne Bretschneider, Pierce, and son Gale and wife Paula Bretschneider, Pierce; two brothers, Arnold and wife Darlene Bretschneider, Norfolk, Delbert and wife Joyce Bretschneider, Norfolk; and sisters Mildred and husband Raymond Svitak, Norfolk, Lucille Jahn, Norfolk, Marie and husband George Smeal, Clearlake, Calif., and Esther and husband Don Dittberner, Humphrey; 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter; his parents; two brothers, Alfred and Herman; and two sisters, Ruth and Anita. Organist will be Becky Vogt with congregational hymns, "I'm But a Stranger Here," "Asleep in Jesus, Blessed Sleep," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," Casket bearers will be Dean Bretschneider, Gerald Bretschneider, Larry Bretschneider, Brett Bauer, Dan Svitak, Mike Miller. Honorary casket bearers are grandchildren Rebecca Halsey, Garrett Bretschneider, Karynn Bretschneider, Tyson Zarnstorff, Cara Ewings, Trevor Zarnstorff, Claire Zarnstorff, Kellin Bretschneider, Amber Woslager, Brittany Bretschneider, Brady Bretschneider, Jacy Bretschneider, Shelby Bretschneider.

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Reuben P. Bretschneider

August 3, 1925 - February 3, 2011