Shirley M. Bretl

Shirley M. Bretl, 90 of Marinette passed away surrounded by her family on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the Cottages at Lake Park. She was born on April 18, 1935, to the late Walter and Hazel (Williams) Chepeck in Menominee and graduated from Marinette High School in 1954. On January 18, 1954, Shirley married Warren Bretl in Menominee; he preceded her in death on January 12, 2022. The two dated at 16 and grew up together and loved each other’s company.

She worked in the school cafeteria and then as a teachers aid and bus driver for special needs children but her biggest joy was raising her children and spoiling her grandchildren. She enjoyed keeping up with her children as adults with lunches, Friday morning breakfasts, and all the holidays spent together. She also enjoyed trips to the casino and fishing, especially for Perch. Shirley was a member of Holy Spirit Church in Menominee and the National Square Dance and Camper Assoc.

Shirley is survived by her daughters: Colleen (James) Semrau of Clarksville, TN, Alice (Tod) Janquart of Menominee, Polly (Darrell) Smith of Marinette, Sue (Jeff) Gibson of Iron River, MI, Jayne (Mark) Strohl of Daggett, and Marcy (James) Fazer of Menominee; 20 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren; brother, Lynn (Cathy) Chepeck of Kansas City, MO; and sister, Christy (Paul) Langer of Niagara. In addition to her parents and husband, Warren, she was preceded in death by her son, Steven; son in law, John; granddaughter, Elizabeth; and brother, Dave.

Visitation will be held at Thielen Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 7th from 11am-12:45pm with the family sharing memories at 12:30. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1pm at Holy Spirit Church in Menominee. Burial will be in Glenwood Memorial Gardens.

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