Wilbur L "Brett" Bretthauer

Wilbur L (Brett) Bretthauer, 90, peacefully passed away on Friday January 2, 2026, at Northbrook Healthcare in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation will be held on Monday January 12, 2026, at 10:00am at Faith Life Church in Marion, Iowa, until the funeral service at 11:00am, officiated by Pastor Alice Murray.

The funeral service will be live-streamed and can be accessed at Faith-Life.org (http://Faith-Life.org) under the "Watch Live" tab. Graveside burial at Cedar Memorial planned for 1:30pm. Friends and relatives are welcome to attend.

Brett was born on August 7, 1935, in Ute, Iowa on the family farm where he was also raised. He was the son of Louis and Irene Bretthauer.

At the age of 16 he was struck with polio and hospitalized for more than 9 weeks. His parents were told he would never walk again. Being the grandson of a Lutheran pastor Brett had nowhere to look but up and he began to pray in earnest. He asked God for healing and his faith began to grow. Every day was a blessing that he could eventually walk, and he never had a day that he felt down since then.

He graduated from Ute High School and moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1956. He worked at Kilborn Photo and was manager of the print department at the Cedar Rapids school board.

In the early 60's Brett met Shirley at her father's gas station in Marion. They were married in 1965 and became a blended family with 5 children very close in age.

Continuing his work career Brett realized he was a people person and loved being a salesman, so he worked for several companies selling paper. The last company he was a salesman for was Unisource, he retired in 1997 at the age of 62.

One of Brett's friends had a furniture refinishing business and Shirley worked for an antique store, so they were introduced to so many beautiful pieces of solid wood furniture. Brett was instantly hooked with stripping furniture and bringing it back to new life.

Brett loved fishing and spent several years traveling with his son Mark and several other guy family members on their annual fishing trip to Texas. He also loved camping, boating and spending time with his family at their beautiful swimming pool. His wife Shirley loved to travel, and they were able to take numerous cruises to see the world. Taking the family to Hawaii two years in a row and to Florida were his travel highlights.

Brett and Shirley enjoyed all the adventures they shared with Shirleys brother John and his wife Nancy.

Brett always looked forward to the Iowa football and Men's basketball seasons. GO IOWA HAWKEYE'S!

Brett is survived by his son Eric (Vicky), daughter Erin (Cal), son Mark (Julie), daughter Lorey (Jake) and daughter-in-law Beth. Grandchildren Andy, Alicia (Josh), Adam (Meghan), Ryan, Jordan, Erin (Ethan), Shawn Michael, Angel and Grace. Great-grandchildren Ellie, Landon, Cale and Fletcher.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Shirley, parents, a sister Frances, a brother Dick, a brother-in-law John and a son Shawn.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Northbrook Healthcare and Hospice of Mercy for their compassionate care to Brett.

The family also appreciates the love and support received from their family and church family.

Memorial contributions may be directed in Brett's name to Faith Life Church – 8300 C Ave, Marion, IA 52302.