Gene J. Breitbach (1940-2020)

BREIYBACH, OBERFOELL, GOERDT

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/29/2020 at 07:57:26

Gene J. Breitbach, 79, of Farley, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at Mercy One in Dubuque, Iowa.

A Visitation for Gene will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2020 at Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where the Legion Auxiliary will meet in a body at 6:30 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to attend, keeping in mind the social distancing etiquette. The family requests everyone to wear a mask. A visitation will also be held at 9 a.m., Saturday at the funeral home. Anyone wishing to send memorials may be send them to Reiff Funeral Home, Attn: Gene Breitbach Family, PO Box 99, Farley, Iowa, 52046.

A Mass of Christian burial for Gene will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Church with Rev. Michael Schueller officiating. Burial will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Farley, Iowa.

He was born on December 10, 1940, in Farley, Iowa, son of Bernard and Bernice (Oberfoell) Breitbach. He received his education from the former Epworth Community School in Epworth, Iowa. On June 17, 1961 he was united in marriage to Rosie Goerdt, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Farley, Iowa.

Gene was a man with a very strong work ethic. He started working as an Iron worker at the age of sixteen, with his father. He was the 3rd generation Iron worker in the family and worked for 42 ½ years at International Association of Iron Workers Local 89, until his retirement in February 2002.

He was a member of the St. Joseph’s Parish in Farley, Iowa. Gene was also a member of the Farley Knights of Columbus Council #2001 and the Dubuque County 4th Degree Dubourgh Assembly #1573.

Gene was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and truly enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a car enthusiast and took great pride in his cars. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR, attending Stock Car Races, and Fishing.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Rosie Breitbach of Farley, IA; four children, Cori (Thomas) Evelyn of Venice, FL Chris (Judi) Breitbach of Prophetstown, IL, Craig (Lisa) Breitbach of Farley, IA, and Cathy (Mitch) Current of Maquoketa, IA; 12 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren with another one on the way in December; five siblings, Betty (Paul) Theisen of Epworth, IA, Mary (Friend Ron) Westermeyer of Dubuque, IA, Eldon (Mary) Breitbach of Marion, IA, Melinda (Bob) Steffen of Asbury, IA and Sharon (Ron) Schaul of Farley, IA; brothers and sisters-in-law, Delores “Dorrie” Vorwald of Holy Cross, IA, George (Carol) Davis of Farley, IA, Dale Goerdt of Rockford, IL and Lois Goerdt of Guttenburg, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Jerry (Mary) Breitbach, one sister, Darlene (Wilfred) Vorwald; father and mother-in-law, Alfred and Agnes Goerdt; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary Westermeyer, Alfred “Sonny” Goerdt Jr., Gertrude Davis, Bob Goerdt, Lorraine Davis, Herbert Goerdt, Dick Goerdt, Joyce (Donald) Koster and Gene Vorwald

The Breitbach family would like to give a special thank you to the Staff at Mercy One Hospital, especially the staff and nurses on the COVID 19 floor and ICU, especially, Dr. Gordon and Dr. Janes for all the wonderful care and support they gave to Gene.

If you would like to view the video tribute or send online condolences to the family, please visit our website at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com