Barbara Atzert Bretzke

Barbara Atzert Bretzke, 97, from Mesa, AZ and Polson passed away on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022 at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Polson.

She was born on July 3, 1925, in St. Albans, Long Island, New York to Frank Jr. and Inez Atzert.

She grew up on Long Island and enjoyed sports, playing kick the can, hand ball, basketball, skating and swimming. Other interests as a young girl were tap, ballet, dance, and piano. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in St. Albans.

As a young lady, she met a First Lt. Lou Enlow Bretzke, who was attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. They married on June 5th, 1951 at the West Point Chapel. They were married 66 years until Lou’s passing in 2017.

She was a devoted military wife and after retiring in 1979, they split their time between Mesa, Arizona and Polson, Montana. They enjoyed lake life with many friends and family. She loved cooking, planting flowers (especially red geraniums), reading, playing bridge, ballroom dancing with Lou, boating, and most of all beating her family members at Rummikub. Mildred and Lou took several world cruises and many other cruises with family throughout their retirement.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great - great-grandmother. She was loved by many and most of her children’s friends referred to her as Mom.

Survivors include her four sons and their wives; Scott and Mary, Craig and Barbara, Dale and Chris, Lance, and their children; including 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband Lou and her grandchild Varon.

A celebration of life will be held next summer at their house in Polson for her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.