Died:  25 August 2005

LaVera, 79 years young and Karl Bretschneider 86 years, of Newburg died together on 25 August 2005. LaVera was the daughter of Reinhold and Adela Jobs and was born on the family farm on 9 May 1926. Karl was the son of Ida (Wilkens) and Wilhelm Bretschneider of Newburg born on 20 October 1918. 

They traveled all over the United States and were on their way home from Marshfield when they were killed in a head-on collision on Highway 33 in Trenton.

The couple had been married 55 years. The Bretschneiders raised their family in a house they built in 1958 in Newburg, WI. They liked to travel, visiting nearly every part of the United States, especially in recent years to attend World War II veteran’s reunions; Karl served in the U.S. Army then.

Karl liked to drive. And, in retirement, they liked to travel, visiting nearly every part of the United States, especially in recent years to attend World War II veteran’s reunions; Karl served in the U.S. Army then.

Karl Bretschneider had been employed as a machinist at Grob Manufacturing in Grafton until he retired 17 years ago.

Newburg Village Clerk Bill Cording called Karl Bretschneider “one of the most outgoing people I’ve ever known,” noting that even at 86, he still mowed lawns and took out garbage for elderly neighbors.

In retirement, Karl became a cook and baker, specializing in making breads and foods fixed to surprise, giving him an outlet for a well-honed sense of humor.

One of his experiments was cinnamon chili. Others included a salad made of dandelion greens, grilled bear meat and ant cookies, his children said.

“You never knew what you’d get when Dad was cooking,” Cheryl Bretschneider said.

Karl Bretschneider was chief of the Newburg Volunteer Fire Department from 1952 to 1956, current Chief Peter Waldkirch said Friday.