Thekla Ann Breitbach (née Edwall), age 82, passed away on the evening of Saturday, March 22, 2025, as a result of Alzheimer’s disease. Her final moments were spent peacefully in the company of her family at Cerenity Senior Care in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Ann was born in Rice Lake, WI, the middle child of five siblings. She spent her childhood in Shell Lake and Spooner, riding her bike to the Ben Franklin and Dairy Queen. At age 16, she joined the Servite Sisters Convent in Ladysmith. She was trained as a teacher and taught at Catholic schools in Illinois and Minnesota. After 10 years, she left the convent and eventually met and married Richard Breitbach. They settled in Maplewood, MN, and raised their children, Christopher and Elizabeth. Ann enjoyed supporting her children’s activities in hockey and dance.

Ann eventually reentered the teaching profession as an associate educator in Roseville area public schools, focusing on children with special needs. She enjoyed working with individual students and small groups, and strongly believed in their ability to learn. After her retirement in the late 1990s, she began her next chapter, which involved volunteer activities with the Church of St. Peter in Forest Lake, MN; extensive travel in the U.S. and overseas; and frequent visits with family (especially her grandchildren) and friends.

According to her husband, “she taught me what love really means.” Her family and friends miss her dearly, recalling the many good times, Easter dinners, Christmas mornings, birthday celebrations, and family get togethers. Ann's favorite word was “Celebrate.” We are comforted by the knowledge that she’s at peace in heaven celebrating with the Lord.

Known for her love of family, her deeply held faith, and her dedication to teaching, Ann will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Ann’s family asks that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life not the sadness of her passing. She is survived by loving husband Richard “Dick” Breitbach; son Christopher (Kelly) Breitbach, and sons Tyler, Owen, Zach, and Owen; daughter Elizabeth (Craig) Miller and daughters Silvia and Clara; sister Mary (Richard) Denham; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Marie and Hugo Edwall, siblings Alfred and Ray “Shorty” Edwall; and sister Theresa (Arthur) Sundeen.

Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shell Lake, WI on Thursday March 27, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00am, mass will follow at 11:00am, Burial will be held at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Luncheon to follow at St. Joseph Catholic Church. All family and friends are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in Ann’s memory.

Last Update: Mar 26, 2025 1:11 pm CDT