Stella "Steffie" W. Bretz

Stella “Steffie” (Washney) Bretz, 91, of Laureldale, passed away peacefully in ManorCare- Laureldale on Sunday, August 18, 2014. She was the wife of the late, Herbert J. Bretz whom passed away in 1960.

Born in Landisville, NJ on April 17, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Joe Washney and Helen (Washney) and Metro Sema. She was a graduate of Brylan Institute of Cosmetology in Reading and owned her own Beauty Shop in the city. Later she took employment with the Berkshire Knitting Mills where she retired as a seamstress.

She was a member of the Calvary United Church of Christ where she also taught Sunday School.

Stella was a member of the Senior Club of Laureldale, sang in the Happy Go Lucky Chorus, a member of the Happy Bumbadeers of Reading as Secretary and Sgt. of Arms, Past President of the Queen of Angels Apartments, Past President of Muhlenberg Senior Center, Den Mother of Cub Scouts, Pack 8 now known as Pack 208, a Campfire Leader for 10 years, Past President of the Riverside PTA at Riverside Elementary, Past President of the Widows Club at St. Margaret’s, involved with the swim team at the Northwest Pool, and a member of the Polka Squires.

She loved spending time with her family and enjoyed crocheting Afghan blankets for them.

Surviving are two children: James H. Bretz and his wife, Kathy L. (Casper) of Adamstown and Emily E. (Bretz) Sweigart and her husband, Dale of Reading; nine grandchildren: Kimberly and her husband, David, Jeffrey, Matthew, Christopher, Brandon, Shanalyn and her husband, Charles, Allison and her husband, Terry, Alyssa and Deanna; two great grandchildren: Nathan and Madelyn.

Extended family members surviving include her brother: Michael Sema; three sisters: Rose Keiffer, Sister Stephanie Sema and Catherine Kostyk; daughter in law: Sandra (Bretz) Goss and her husband, Les and grandson, Ian.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Herbert, she is predeceased by a son: Kenneth L. Bretz; four brothers: John, George and Steven Sema and Peter Nichols and five sisters: Helen Roland, Mary Strencosky, Stella Pennypacker, Anna Melnick and Julia Dicus.

Family and friends will be received in Auman’s Inc. Funeral Home, 390 W. Neversink Rd., Reading, PA 19606 on Thursday, August 21, 2014 from 6 to 8pm. Burial is private in Forest Hills Memorial Park.

www.aumansinc.com