April 11, 2019 – Washington Co., WI – Richard R. Brei, 74, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2019 at the Cornerstone in West Bend.
Richard was born on February 22, 1945 in Norfolk, Nebraska to Raymond and Lucille (nee King) Brei. He was made a child of God through baptism. He confessed his faith in Christ his Savior at his confirmation. Richard married Janelle (nee Sievers) Brei on April 18, 1981 at Good Shepherd Church in Omaha, Nebraska.
Richard attended Lutheran elementary and high school. He was a graduate of Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota; He received his Master’s in Education at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He taught at Good Shepherd in Omaha, Nebraska from 1967-1992; Trinity Lutheran in Aberdeen, South Dakota from 1992-1998; St. Paul’s Lutheran in St. James, Minnesota from 1998-1999 and Trinity Lutheran on Pleasant Valley Road in West Bend, WI from 2000-2012. Richard was a member of the Trinity Lutheran choir; he also served on the following high school boards; NELHS (Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School) in Waco, NE, Great Plains High School in Watertown, South Dakota, and KML (Kettle Moraine Lutheran) in Jackson, WI.
Richard enjoyed his teaching career and serving the congregations he was a member of. In his free time Richard enjoyed spending time with his family, he enjoyed playing golf, fishing and riding his motor cycle. He also enjoyed cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Minnesota Vikings.
Richard is survived by his wife, Janelle Brei of Jackson, three sons: Jonathan Brei of Jackson, David Brei (Nikki) of Kewaskum, and James Brei (Kristin) of St. Cloud, WI, and 4 grandchildren. He is further survived by his siblings: sisters: Jo Ann Brei, Janice Hebb (Wayne), Judy Frances (John), Joyce Brei and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lucille Brei; one sister, Jayne Ann Brei and infant son, Matthew Paul Brei.
A Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 15, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church (1268 Pleasant Valley Rd., West Bend) with Pastor Kenneth Mellon presiding. Visitation will be at the church on Monday, April 15 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service (1:00 p.m.).
The family would like to thank everyone at St. Joseph Hospital, The Cornerstone Assisted Living and Serenity Hospice for the wonderful care provided to Richard.
