Helen Elizabeth Bretz

Helen will be forever missed by all who were lucky enough to be part of her life. Family and friends were always her first priority, and she had the gift of making all those around her happy and cheerful. Making people laugh was important to her. Her Grandpa, who was a Vaudeville performer, always told her, "Little Helen there's enough tears in the world, you gotta make them laugh!"

Helen was the eldest child of Helen and Halbert Monroe, born in Providence, RI on April 30, 1931. She graduated from Cathedral High School in Wichita, KS in 1949. She attended her 60th reunion in 2009.

She moved to Arizona and worked at Motorola for 25 years before retiring. While working she met her sweetheart, Roy Layton. They've been together for 28 years. They loved boating, traveling, riding horses, and driving dune buggies together. She also loved bird watching, crossword puzzles, and being with family.

Helen has 5 children, Susan Allen, James Lanford (deceased), Theresa Bretz, Patricia Jarvis, and Donald Bretz. She has 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. She was proud of all of them. She wrote songs for them, attended sports and other activities, and loved being a Grandma and Great Grandma.

She is preceded in death by husband Jack Lanford and husband Gene Bretz.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavencarrtenney.com for the Bretz family.