Andrew Bretschneider

Long time Valley resident, Andrew R. Bretschneider, passed through this life (with a full head of hair and the bluest of eyes) to rejoin his family and friends in God’s Kingdom on Sunday, July 6, 2008.Andrew was born July 14, 1917 on the family farm outside of Ghent, MN. Though he was nine years and eight days shy of reaching the 100 year mark his family set for him, he definitely had lived a long and interesting life.Andrew was the first generation American. His father and mother, Joseph and Mary Bretschneider emigrated from Germany and Austria, out of seven brothers and three sisters, his baby brother, Lewis is now the lone survivor.His young years were spent working the family farm and neighboring farms. When the CCC camps got started he joined up with them and worked until he went into the Army. He served during World War II in the European campaign, and achieved the rank of Master 1st Sergeant. After the war years, he went to work for the Milwaukee Railroad working his way from Wisconsin to the Pacific Northwest. He held his job as signal maintainer, for over 30 years working many of those years at Cedar Falls with Territory that spread from Snoqualmie Pass to Renton, WA.His first wife, Dorothy (Donna) preceded him in death in 1987; also a great-grandson, Gabriel, in 2007. He is survived by his second wife of 15 years, Arlene; his son Jerome, of Fort Worth, Texas; two daughters Evelyn Parker, Rhome, Texas and Alice Allen, of Helena, Montana; ten grandchildren and twenty two great-grandchildren.His memory will continue to live in the hearts of his family and closest friends never to be forgotten.A Rosary was held Thursday, July 10, 2008 at Our Lady Of Sorrows Catholic Church, 39025 SE Alpha, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Funeral Mass was Friday at the church. Interment is at Sunset Hills Memorial Park 1575 145th Pl. SE, Bellevue, 98005.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church.Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.flintofts.com.Arrangements are by Flintofts Funeral Home and Crematory