Lucille Ellen Bretting, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on December 24, 2011 at the age of 87 in Boulder City, Nevada, after a long and full life.
A consummate seamstress, dedicated volunteer with the Children's Benefit League at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, talented crafter and friend to many, "Lou" will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
Though diminutive in size, Lou had an outgoing personality and zest for life. She was born on June 15, 1924, to Wallace and Claire Woodard in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The fourth of five children, she attended Kenosha High School, where she graduated in 1942. Following graduation, she attended Marquette University and later did her part to help the war effort during World War II by working at Kenosha Brass, where she fashioned bullets. In her free time, Lou loved to ice skate and roller skate, and it was at a roller skating rink that she met the love of her life, Donald Bretting.
On November 8, 1947, Lou became Mrs. Donald Bretting in a ceremony in Kenosha, WI. She and Donald ultimately spent 64 years together as man and wife, which delighted everyone who was lucky enough to know them.
In the early 1950s, Lou moved with Don to Long Beach, California, where she raised two sons, Ronald ("Rocky") and Roger while Don began a career as a stockbroker. She was a wonderful cook, dedicated volunteer (past president of the Children's Benefit League) and loving homemaker. She also served as the unofficial "neighborhood mom" to a generation of children, ferrying them to baseball games, band practice and too many school activities to name.
In her later years, she enjoyed welcoming four grandchildren to the world: Anthony and Austin Bretting of Sacramento, California, and Brooke and Dana Bretting of Houston, Texas.
Lou was preceded in death by her beloved husband Don, her parents, an infant son and three siblings: Tom, Bud and Mary.
She is survived by brother John of Minnesota, son Rocky and daughter-in-law Mary Bretting of Rocklin, California, and son Roger and daughter-in-law Sandra Bretting of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by her adored grandchildren.