Carol Jean Bredberg

Carol Jean Bredberg passed away peacefully at the age of 93 just after midnight on November 4, 2025.  Carol Jean was the beloved wife of John H. Bredberg to whom she was married for more than 73 years.

Loving mother of Douglas & wife Patty Andres, Donald & wife Stephanie Bredberg, and John Francis Bredberg (deceased).  Devoted grandmother to Philip & wife Lauren Bredberg, Mitchell & wife Megan Bredberg, Emily Bredberg & partner Corey Backer, Kayla Bredberg and devoted great-grandmother to Charlotte Ann Bredberg, Isabella Marie Bredberg, Lydia Louise Bredberg, and Matthew McGrath Bredberg.  Sister to James Faber (deceased), Mary Enger, Bonnie & husband Paul Motzkus (deceased), and Daniel & wife Colleen Faber. Sister-in-law to deceased family members Eric & Molly Bredberg, Alice & George Faubus, and Brian Bredberg.  Aunt to Kim Enger, Kathy Hall & husband Mark Hall, Robert Bredberg & wife Grace, Ryan Bredberg & Shelly Johnson, Kathy (Faubus) Peterson, Karen (Faubus) Valentine, and Wendy Faubus.  Her dear and close friends over the years included Rita Stratton, Diane Sundquist, Shirley Griffin, and Fiorendina "Deena" Lange.

Those that knew Carol Jean will always remember her smile, her genuine interest in others, her remarkable recall of personal details of those she knew, and her wonderful thank-you notes where every detail of an event or encounter were recalled.  If you were among Carol's friends, it may be you had no better friend.

Carol Jean attended Hamline University, St Paul, MN, with the intent of becoming an elementary school teacher.  Instead, after college and marriage to John Bredberg, she worked as an accounting tech at Allis Chalmer's Tractor Division, using the early version of the IBM 360 punch card computer.

Three sons born early in her marriage confirmed a focus on being a mother and devoted wife.  She became involved with the United Methodist Church as a Sunday School teacher and church organist/pianist, where she accompanied the choir, soloists, and the congregation.  In those years, Carol Jean found an inner gift; she could play by ear a song or musical score from a single hearing, and in a choice of keys.  Many will long remember Carol emerging from movies such as "Out of Africa," and returning home to play the film's theme song from memory ... a feat she often repeated.  Her musical talent started to show in high school where she learned to play the harp for Minneapolis' Roosevelt High School orchestra, and eventually earned first chair honors as the school's harpist.  Her musical talents overshadowed her considerable talent with freehand life drawing sketches in pencil and charcoal, which she taught and shared with her sons in their early years.

Carol Jean and husband John Bredberg were lifelong bridge players, often in standing social gatherings that included dear friends Rita & Carl Stratton, Kay & Lyle Dorow, Janina & Robert Zamis, and Beverly & Russell Faye.  An early passion for Carol Jean was square dancing, a popular activity at the time in Minneapolis, where she met her husband.

With her husband, Carol Jean lived and traveled throughout the U.S., having been raised in Minneapolis, MN, with moves to Milwaukee & Wauwatosa, WI, Boston, MA, Cincinnati, OH, Pittsburgh, PA, Richardson, TX, Greendale, WI, and ultimately Village Manor Park in West Allis, WI.

Carol Jean loved to travel.  Besides many train trips on the "Milwaukee Road" railroad back to Minneapolis, MN, to see her family, other car trips with husband & sons traveled out west to see national parks while vacationing in Sacramento, CA, and Denver, CO, areas.  In their retirement years, Carol Jean and John traveled to Ireland, Branson, MO, the Dakotas, Orlando, FL, and many places in between.  A special event in 2022 gathered their family together in Lake Geneva, WI, to celebrate Carol & John's 70th Wedding Anniversary.

A remembrance circle celebrating Carol Jean was held at Village Manor Park, attended by immediate family members.  We invite those family and friends who knew Carol to write in the Guestbook (below) about any remembrance that comes to mind about Carol Jean.