Viola Irene Bretz

Viola Irene Bretz, 102, formerly of Lower Paxton Township, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2021 at Country Meadows in Mechanicsburg. Born during the Spanish Flu on November 18, 1918 in Harrisburg, she was the daughter of the late Courtney M. and Maude (Miller) Hull. She was the widow of Kenneth H. Bretz who preceded her in death in 2005.

Following graduation in 1937 from Lower Paxton High School, Viola furthered her education at Central Penn Business School. She was employed in the credit office of Pomeroy’s Department Store and later the State of Pennsylvania. She was a procurement officer for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry until 1990 when she retired at the age of 72.

Viola was an active life-long member of Colonial Park United Church of Christ, where she once served as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent of the Children’s Department. She served as leader and assistant leader of two Girl Scout Troops. While working for the state government, she served on SERA helping to plan trips. In retirement Viola arranged trips for the Friendship Club of her church, completely giving up the position when she turned 92. She is a longtime member of the Harrisburg Chapter of Eastern Star, Merry Widows, Red Hats and a member of the Harrisburg Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

Predeceasing her were two brothers, John F. and Paul W. Hull, both of Harrisburg. Surviving is a son Kenneth A. Bretz of Harrisburg, and a daughter Carol, wife of Thomas Bartoski of Camp Hill; three grandsons, Michael A. Bretz of Harrisburg, David M. Bartoski and his wife Anita of San Antonio, Texas and Thomas A. Bartoski of Middletown, Delaware; and five great-grandchildren Sydney and Alexis Bartoski of Texas and Briana, John and Taylor Bartoski of Delaware.

A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at Colonial Park United Church of Christ, Harrisburg, with Rev. Cindy Garis officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Colonial Park United Church of Christ, 5000 Devonshire Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109; Shriners Hospitals for Children, Processing Center, PO Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886 or Residential Hospice of Carlisle, 100 Sterling Parkway, Suite 110, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.