Donna L. Besler Breitbach 1943-2016

BREITBACH, HORSFIELD, BESLER, SCHEMMEL, KNEPPER, FROMMELT

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 4/10/2016 at 12:30:13

Donna L. Breitbach

Donna Lee Breitbach, age 72, of Balltown, IA, was called home peacefully at 5:50 a.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque. To honor Donna's life, funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 468 Balltown Road, Balltown, Iowa, with Rev. Noah J. Diehm officiating. To celebrate Donna's life, family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial will be in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery. Behr Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Donna was born on December 27, 1943, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Clarence and Mildred (Horsfield) Besler.

Donna was born and raised in Dubuque and was a proud graduate of Wahlert High School. She was united in marriage to Victor "V.J." Breitbach Jr. on September 18, 1965, at Holy Ghost Church in Dubuque and they were blessed with 43 wonderful years together and ten adoring children before he was called home ahead of her on April 8, 2009.

Donna was a full time wife, mother and homemaker and took great pride in nurturing and caring for her family; she was also lovingly known as the general manager of Grand Central Station in Balltown, IA. She earnestly invested 32 years, and countless hours, outside the home helping her husband, V.J. run The Barn.

Freetime was not always a luxury which Donna would possess, naturally being busy with children and work; but when a little down time with family and friends would present itself, a smile would rapidly develop upon her face at the mere mention of a good game of cribbage, collecting the newest Precious Moments figurine, or even some individual time on a crossword. Donna truly treasured the holidays and decorating her home, especially during her favorite season, Christmas.

She was a longtime and faithful member of St. Francis of Assisi Church. Donna was a landmark and fixture in her community and gracefully impacted countless lives along the way. Her absence will be felt in the deepest depths of the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Donna's struggles and trials over the past few years have now come to an end and she finally rejoins her loving husband, V.J. in their heavenly estate.

Those left to cherish Donna's memory include

her 10 children,
Julie Breitbach, Sherrill, IA,
John (Rachel) Breitbach, Dubuque, IA,
V.J. Breitbach III, Dubuque, IA,
Jim (Nicole) Breitbach, Sherrill, IA,
Joe (Missy) Breitbach, Farley, IA,
Jeff (Jessica Fens) Breitbach, Sherrill, IA,
Jennifer (Doc) Schemmel, Dubuque, IA,
Jason (Kim Smith) Breitbach, Rickardsville, IA,
Jessica (Josh) Knepper, Dubuque, IA
and Jacob (Kim) Breitbach, Holy Cross, IA;

20 grandchildren;
Joshua (Staci) Frommelt, Robby (Cortini Walen) Frommelt, Kyle (Caitlin Dix) Frommelt, Cory Lambert, Justin Breitbach, Brady Breitbach, Belle Breitbach, Becca Breitbach, Carter Breitbach, Chase Breitbach, Brinnley Breitbach, Ava Breitbach, Alivia Breitbach, Emma Breitbach, Jack Breitbach, Ryder Smith, Ben Knepper, Monica Knepper, Kayla Breitbach and Madalyn Breitbach;

3 great-grandchildren, Charlotte Frommelt, Bailey Mae Frommelt and Caleb Lambert.

and her siblings,
Duane (Marian) Besler, Milwaukee, WI
and Darrell (Verna) Besler, Dubuque, IA.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, V.J. Breitbach Jr.; a grandson, Charlie Breitbach; and a brother, Jim (Donna) Besler.

A Donna L. Breitbach memorial fund has been established, which will be distrubuted among Donna's favorite charities.

Donna's family would like to express a most sincere and heartfelt appreciation to all of the angels, and graciously adopted family members over time, at Mercy skilled 4th floor for all of their amazing care, attention and unceasing devotion to Donna over the past 7 years. May God bless you all.

Online condolences may be left for the family at behrfuneralhome.com