Carole Alice Bretscher

The amazing, beautiful, God-loving, intelligent, kind Carole Alice Bretscher was welcomed by Jesus into Heaven on December 8, 2023. Carole was born in Augusta, Georgia, on May 13, 1942, to Estal Frederick Fry and Anna Edith (Channell) Fry. She was an Air Force “brat” and lived in Georgia, Ohio, and Italy. She graduated from Stebbins High School in 1960, and The Miami Valley Hospital School of Nursing in 1963 as a Registered Nurse. She attended Central State University graduating in 1989 magna cum laude with a BS in Health Education. She worked at GM/Frigidaire plant in Dayton, Ohio, as an industrial RN. She then took her talents to Goodwill Industries as a RN while also initiating their annual 5K Run/Walk. She continued to give of her gifts as the Bellbrook High School varsity football team nurse for a number of years. She was a special needs adult health educator. After graduating from Central State University, she accepted a position at Southwestern College of Business where she donned many responsibilities. Carole was the RN instructor for the medical assistants’ program, certified phlebotomy instructor, the Director of Externs, and an American Red Cross First Aid and CPR instructor. She was an active member of Hope United Methodist Church volunteering countless hours for vacation Bible school, their annual craft fair, and garage sale/auction fundraiser. Carole was in the Bellbrook chapter of the Child Conservation League, the D.A.R.E. program and the Bellbrook Police Department Community Bicycle Rodeo Program along with her husband. She was a Girl Scout Troop 434 leader in the late 1980’s. She volunteered her time for the Bellbrook Fire Department and Blue Knights Law Enforcement Club. Carole was a pivotal member of The Miami Valley Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association. She was a past president and treasurer and the chair of the 100th Anniversary celebration; in the mid 2000’s, in tandem with MVHSON, she initiated and organized a medical supply drive for Kalaupapa Leper Colony on the island of Moloka’i. Carole was a past member of the International Order for the Rainbow Girls & Order of the Eastern Star.

Carole LOVED GOD and her family. She loved all people she met and never knew a stranger. She was kind to all, human and animal. She was a healer, a Nurse and an educator. She was a terrific cook, baker, seamstress, and had a talented creative side making crafts and painting with watercolors. Carole had a passion for travel, especially to The Yellow House on Oahu, Hawaii. She found joy in countless trips to Fort Myers Beach, FL, Niagara Falls, Canada, Utah, Colorado, and Alaska. She could always be found with her Hershey’s and Reese’s cups, and a good day ended with Bingo at St. Helen’s for over 40 years, then Ascension, and finally Carroll with her last trip about a month ago. She loved to play cards with friends and take trips to the casinos. Gardening, berry picking, enjoying nature, visiting zoos, playing scrabble, Yahtzee, and Euchre and poker were great pastimes. Most of all, she loved to be around people. She was a second Mom to many, a friend to all, and always, always wanting to help others in any way she could.

Carole was a FIGHTER. Surviving stage 4 breast cancer for 7.5 years, and Parkinson’s for over 13 years. She passed peacefully with her Savior carrying her home. She is preceded in death by her parents Estal and Edith Fry, brother Jeff, sister Judy. She is survived by her formidable protector and loving husband William (Bill), her son Chris, her daughter Brenna, her furbaby lil’ Dude, her grandson Logan, and countless grand-furbabies. Her final resting place will be Miami Valley Memory Gardens. Please join us in celebrating her life and love Tuesday, December 19th.

A visitation for Carole will be held Tuesday, December 19, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 2300 S Smithville rd, Dayton, Ohio 45420. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM, 2300 S Smithville rd, Dayton, Ohio 45420. A burial will occur Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 12:45 PM at Miami Valley Memory Gardens, 1639 E Lytle 5 Points Road, Centerville, Ohio 45458.