Herbert Breitbach

Herbert J. "Herb" Breitbach, age 86 of Elrosa, died peacefully surrounded by his family Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 24 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Mark Stang officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, February 23 and 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Monday, February 24 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa.

Herbert Joseph Breitbach was born October 2, 1927 in Lake George Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Mathias and Mathilda (Koll) Breitbach. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Josephine "Jo" Majerus on May 10, 1950 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. She died November 12, 1994. He married Margaret (Klaphake) Imdieke on June 20, 1997 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Padua, Minnesota.

Herb was a lifelong resident of Elrosa, served as mayor for 29 years and was a founding member of the Elrosa Volunteer Fire Department. He went to work for his dad at Breitbach and Sons Construction when he was 14 years old, became president of the company in 1966 and retired in 1986. Since that time he has enjoyed spending time with family and friends. His favorite pastimes were trying to out fish his wife, Margaret, and visiting all of the different job sites making sure his sons and grandsons kept up the Breitbach quality he was so proud of. He also loved to watch Elrosa Saints baseball games. Herb was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, St. James Catholic United, life member of Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853, American Legion Post 67 and Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Breitbach of Elrosa; seven children, Judy (Dick) Detloff of Brooten, Ron (Karen) Breitbach of Elrosa, Richard (Sharon) Breitbach of Starbuck, Mary Kay (Lenny) Illies of Richmond, Sandra (Nick) Glieden of Fargo, North Dakota, Mark (Brenda) Breitbach of Sauk Centre and Barb (Brian) Anderson of Belgrade; daughter-in-law, Deb Breitbach (special friend, Mark Weller) of Elrosa; two step-sons, David (Diane) Imdieke of Sauk Centre and Jerry Imdieke (special friend, Laurie Douvier) of Elrosa; 29 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Leander (Betty) Breitbach of Elrosa, Mary Ann (Melvin) Hoeschen of Detroit Lakes, Mathias (Alice) Breitbach of Sauk Centre, Irene (Lorman) Henry of Sauk Centre, Betty (Dennis) Froh of Sauk Centre, Marlene Bromen of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister-in-law, Rosella Breitbach of Paynesville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Josephine Breitbach; son, Gerald "Gary" Breitbach on August 24, 2006; brother, Sylvester Breitbach; brother-in-law, Marvin Bromen; step-grandson, Justin Imdieke.

Serving as casket bearers will be Matthew, Jamie, Ryan and Dustin Breitbach, Mike Detloff, Cory Illies, Jeremy Glieden and Kyle Imdieke. Cross bearer will be Michelle Nelson and scripture bearer will be Ashley Boeyink. Lectors will be Jackie Breitbach and Danielle Donahue and gift bearers will be Melissa Breitbach, Jessica Erickson and Mikayla Roelike.