Laura Ann (Applehans) Bretz peacefully passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior while at her home in Sterling on Monday, October 24, 2022, at the age of 61. A celebration of Laura's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 31, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home with Pastor Kelley Huenink as officiant. Inurnment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Laura was born in Sterling, CO on July 23, 1961. She attended Sterling High School and graduated in 1979. While still in high school, she met the one and only man that she would ever love. And boy did she ever love him! On October 8, 1982, Laura Ann and William "Bill" Bretz started their wonderful journey called marriage.

Laura worked at many places in her younger years including Big B Drive In, Neatex Services, Jochem Oil, Ramada Inn, and Sterling Living Center before settling on a career at Eastern Colorado Services for the Developmentally Disabled until the onset of her illness in 2020.

Laura was an avid member of Relay For Life and was very active in the fundraisers and walks, culminating her career as a group leader until her health started deteriorating. Later she enjoyed life by going on trips to Blackhawk with her best friends and playing bingo. None of this, however, compared to the times spent with Bill. She absolutely loved going on drives with him, if even just out to the state park. It didn't matter as long as she was with Bill. Every year was highlighted with a trip to the Poudre Canyon around their anniversary for the weekend to check out the fall colors. It devastated her that they couldn't make the trip the last 2 years. She also loved to fish and was extremely proud of the time she went fishing with her dad on his boat and caught many fish while he got "skunked". She couldn't wait to get home to tell Bill.

It would be foolish to forget to mention Laura's 3 Shih tzu pups which brought much joy and comfort to her, especially in her final months. She dearly loved those dogs. She also absolutely adored her mother, Delores Flesner. She would do anything for mom and couldn't go more than a day without talking to her.

Laura is survived by her husband Bill Bretz, parents Delores and Larry Flesner, brother Jim (Tammy) Flesner, innumerable aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

This paper just does not have enough ink to list every person Laura held near and dear to her heart. She possessed that much love.