Joan Erb Breetz

Joan Erb Breetz.

Joan, (nee Bertha Joan Riedel), age 87, of Villa Hills, KY passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Hospice. She was born in Covington, KY on July 28, 1938, to Eugene and Josephine (nee Kelly) Riedel. Joan was raised in Ludlow, KY, completing elementary school at St. James in Ludlow and high school at Notre Dame Academy in Covington.

Joan married Dan Erb of Newport, Kentucky on August 16, 1958. They were married 23 years until Dan’s death on March 23, 1982, raising 5 daughters, the loves of her life. She was a fun, active wife and mother, organizing family and friends’ weekends to Kentucky State Parks and Florida vacations to visit family.

Joan married Charles “Bud” Breetz of Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky on January 5, 2008. They were married for 4 1/2 years, a beloved romance following a long-time friendship. Joan dearly loved her Breetz family and welcomed each of them into her heart as her own.

When all the girls were in full time school, Joan worked as Administrative Assistant for the Director of Villa Madonna Academy. She then worked in Finance and Accounting for Dupont, and for Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. While working in her 40’s, Joan completed a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northern Kentucky University. At the age of 50, Joan entered Christ Hospital School of Nursing, working for another 15 years and fulfilling a childhood desire to be a Registered Nurse. Upon retirement, Joan volunteered at the Pike St. Clinic in Covington, providing health care and compassion to those in need.

Actively serving the community, Joan was a volunteer EMT for Villa Hills / Crescent Springs, an organizer of children’s programs at Hope Cottage, and with Dan chaired the second annual Villa Rama fundraiser.

She enjoyed extensive national and international travel with family and friends, snow-birding in Bonita Springs, weekly card clubs and many trips to the casino, often a winner. Joan spent as much time as possible with her daughters and their ever-growing families. She was engaged in every family milestone, offering frank and witty advice, solicited or not. She had a way of connecting with others one-on-one in a very personal way and was regarded as a best friend and favorite aunt by many.

Joan was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Joseph Parish for over 65 years, where she was the first female lector at the parish in the early 70’s, a member of various committees including Parish Council and the bereavement committee, and most recently sewing prayer blankets for St. Elizabeth hospital.

Joan had a special devotion to Saint Padre Pio, following the example of her dear maternal grandmother and namesake. Likewise, she often noted the comforting, prominent presence of St. Michael the Archangel over her left shoulder, particularly in the last weeks. She offered her daily suffering for the souls in purgatory. Joan was a Lay Associate Oblate of St. Walburg Monastery, embracing the vision of St. Benedict, living a life based on hospitality, peace, moderation, balance in prayer, work, and play, and seeking God in the ordinariness of daily life.

Joan was preceded in death by her first husband, the late Daniel Joseph Erb and her second husband, the late Charles H. “Bud” Breetz. She is survived by her children, Diane (Kenneth) Sears, Karen Berling, Michele (Christopher) Geiger, Susan (Kenneth) Schlachter and Barbara (Norbert) Weyer; grandchildren, Jessica Sears, Evan (Sara) Sears, Brian (Alex) Berling, Kevin Berling, Alex (Erin) Geiger, Olivia Geiger, Amy (Christian) Harmon, Daniel (Sydney) Schlachter, David Schlachter, Erin (David) Adams, Emily (Peter) Collopy and Elizabeth Weyer; great-grandchildren, Carolina, Penelope, Everson, Felix, Luca, Jackson, Reagan, Mason and Josephine; siblings, Dr. Richard (Nancy) Riedel and Michael (Kathy) Riedel; sister-in-law, Terry (Michael) Deavy.

Visitation will be on Monday, December 29th from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Middendorf Funeral Home 3312 Madison Pk. Ft. Wright, KY 41017. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am Tuesday, December 30th at St. Joseph Church 2470 Lorraine Ct. Crescent Springs, KY 41017. All are welcome to a lunch reception in the church’s Noll Hall immediately following mass. Private burial will be held at a later date.

Sympathy may be expressed by a memorial contribution to St. Joseph Church 2470 Lorraine Ct. Crescent Springs, KY 41017, or St. Walburg Monastery 2500 Amsterdam Rd, Villa Hills, KY 41017.