In Memory Of
Gretchen Ann Bretzfelder
1942
2020
Gretchen Ann Bretzfelder
January 19, 1942 — May 13, 2020
Gretchen (Tolle) Bretzfelder, age 78, passed away on May 13, 2020 after a long struggle from complications associated with her rare brain disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). She is preceded in death by her husband Bill; her parents Corwin and Jane Tolle; and her sister Nancy Tolle. She is survived by her five children: Barb (Rod) Tinch: Bill (Jodi) Bretzfelder; Rob (Tammy) Bretzfelder; Mike Bretzfelder; and Amy (Dave) Walters; 7 grandchildren: Max, Patrick, Brianna, Joe, Alison, Anna, and Noah; 2 step grandchildren Bret and Josh 2 great-grandchildren, 7 siblings, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to raising 5 kids, Gretchen was a librarian in the Dayton Public Schools at Valerie Elementary and then at Shoup Mill Elementary. She then spent over 30 years working at AIM for the Handicapped, retiring in December 2014. She loved to travel to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria CA to visit Mike and Max, and to Biloxi MS (with a few side trips to New Orleans LA and Fort Walton Beach FL) to visit Amy. She also traveled on a 12 day Euopean trip with Barb where they visited 10 cities in 5 countries. She and her best friend Sandy had great times in New York City. She will be remembered for her artistic abilities, her bravery, dignity, honesty, fun spirit, and mostly for her laughter and kindness.
A big thank you to the current and former Brookdale Beavercreek employees who took such good care of Gretchen during the last 2 1\2 years, especially Kristin B. (former ED), Vickie, Brenda and Gayle (former nurses); Harley (former caregiver); and a very special thank you to current caregivers\employees Millie, Cassie, and especially to Michelle, who cared for Gretchen with such compassion. Gratitude to the Ohio Hospice team as well. A special thank you to Sandy, her best friend who kept in touch with her with phone calls, cards, and photo memories, and to Kathleen and Tracy who sent her uplifting cards on a regular basis, and to Mel and Jan who stayed in touch on a regular basis as well from afar with flowers and cards. To her Brookdale dining buddy Jane and her daughter Donna who always stopped in to visit, your friendship these past few years has meant so much. And a very special "I heart you" to her friend Rodrika who made her laugh every single week.
If you see a hummingbird, the symbol of PSP, just know that Gretchen is nearby.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will not be a memorial service. One of Gretchen's favorite mottos was "kindness matters." So In lieu of donating to your favorite charity, please take some time to do a random act of kindness in memory of Gretchen. She would like that.
To share a memory of Gretchen with the family please click on the Share Memories tab above.
In addition to raising 5 kids, Gretchen was a librarian in the Dayton Public Schools at Valerie Elementary and then at Shoup Mill Elementary. She then spent over 30 years working at AIM for the Handicapped, retiring in December 2014. She loved to travel to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria CA to visit Mike and Max, and to Biloxi MS (with a few side trips to New Orleans LA and Fort Walton Beach FL) to visit Amy. She also traveled on a 12 day Euopean trip with Barb where they visited 10 cities in 5 countries. She and her best friend Sandy had great times in New York City. She will be remembered for her artistic abilities, her bravery, dignity, honesty, fun spirit, and mostly for her laughter and kindness.
A big thank you to the current and former Brookdale Beavercreek employees who took such good care of Gretchen during the last 2 1\2 years, especially Kristin B. (former ED), Vickie, Brenda and Gayle (former nurses); Harley (former caregiver); and a very special thank you to current caregivers\employees Millie, Cassie, and especially to Michelle, who cared for Gretchen with such compassion. Gratitude to the Ohio Hospice team as well. A special thank you to Sandy, her best friend who kept in touch with her with phone calls, cards, and photo memories, and to Kathleen and Tracy who sent her uplifting cards on a regular basis, and to Mel and Jan who stayed in touch on a regular basis as well from afar with flowers and cards. To her Brookdale dining buddy Jane and her daughter Donna who always stopped in to visit, your friendship these past few years has meant so much. And a very special "I heart you" to her friend Rodrika who made her laugh every single week.
If you see a hummingbird, the symbol of PSP, just know that Gretchen is nearby.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will not be a memorial service. One of Gretchen's favorite mottos was "kindness matters." So In lieu of donating to your favorite charity, please take some time to do a random act of kindness in memory of Gretchen. She would like that.
To share a memory of Gretchen with the family please click on the Share Memories tab above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gretchen Ann Bretzfelder, please visit our flower store.
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