Calton Lewis Bretz, 69, of Billings, MT died peacefully at home on October 4, 2024 from pancreatic cancer. He was born on August 16, 1955 in Ainsworth, NE to Nial and Gabrilla (Billie) Bretz.
Upon graduation from Ainsworth High School, he continued his education at Southeast Community College, Milford campus, majoring in Building Construction. He later completed his BA degree at Bellevue College.
During high school, Cal enjoyed bull riding, which he continued doing for several years travelling each summer from rodeo to rodeo, as well as attending some bull riding schools in Texas and California. His other love was turkey hunting, and took his sons, as well as his brothers-in-law on hunting trips.
In 1982, he married Mary Masin, and to this union three children were born: Nial Wayne, and twins, Samuel Lewis and Joseph Brian.
Cal started his own home building business in Grand Island, Nebraska, where he built their first home. Building homes was Cal’s passion, and he was an exceptional finish carpenter. Cal’s second passion was the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He watched everything Huskers, especially football. He passed his passion onto his sons.
The family moved to Billings, Montana in 1994 to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. Cal built their second home where they have lived for the past 29 years. Cal then built a six-plex near Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park for a company out of Alaska before changing jobs to Dick Anderson Construction. He worked for DAC for 23 years, and you can view most of his construction projects from Baker, MT to Columbus, MT. He took a break in 2001-2006 to open Eileen’s Colossal Cookies, which had to close its doors in 2008. One fundraising cookie dough order took over 800 lbs. of dough.
Surviving Cal is his wife, Mary; his children, Nial of Billings, MT, Sam of Salem, OR, and Joe (Remya) of Bozeman, MT; mother-in-law, Ruth Masin of Billings; sisters, Karen (Brian) Magnuson of Fremont, Cheryl Arrowsmith of Grand Island; sisters-in-law, Barb (Roger) Shiffermiller of Omaha, Ann (Daniel) Salinas of Palm Dale, CA; brothers-in-law, Joe (Linda) Masin and Dan (Tammy) Masin of Billings; as well as several nieces, nephews and other family.
Preceding him in death were his parents, and half brothers, Ronald, Rodney and Russel.
Cal’s Celebration of Life will take place at the Columbia Club in Billings, MT on October 17th at 3:00 p.m.