Joseph "Edward" Tondreau

Joseph Edward Tondreau, age 71 of Berwyn, passed away in his home on Sunday, November 4, 2012. Joseph was born on December 19, 1940 at the family home in Mason City, Nebraska to Lewis J. and Marjorie Ruth (Cox) Tondreau. He grew up in the Mason City area and attended Hopewell Grade School then went on to later graduate from Mason City High School in 1959. He was well known by a couple different names, depending on where he was at the time. Some know him as Joe while others know him as Ed., however, knowing him and his sense of humor, he was probably known by several other names as well. In 1962 he married his High School sweetheart, Gwendolyn Jeanne Ryan. They made their home in Broken Bow and Ed worked at Becton Dickenson. To this union, two children were born. Gail Lynne and Richard Lewis. In 1969 he married Sandra J. Stenzel. Not only did he gain a loving spouse, but two daughters as well, Tracie Dawn and Krysti Anne to add to his growing family. To this union three more children were born. Jode Lee, Jerry Edward and Rita Louise. Both Rita and Jerry died in infancy. Ed. and Sandy resided in Scottsbluff Nebraska while Ed drove a truck for Schwartzkopf meats. Later they moved to Kearney Nebraska where he worked at Eaton Corporation for 19 years until he retired in 1989. During the last years of being employed by Eaton, he also started his own trucking business, J.E. Tondreau Trucking. After leaving Eaton he drove a truck full time for another 15 years, retiring for good in 2004. During his retired years he was able to take his fifth wheel camper and spend one summer in Alaska and two winters in Arizona. Another highlight of his retirement was collecting and restoring John Deere Tractors. He enjoyed taking his tractors around to area tractor pulls, some he won and some he just enjoyed participating in. This last summer he was able to have a tractor parade in Berwyn with all of his tractors, Children and Grand-Children. It was a day filled with pride and joy for him and enjoyed by all involved, creating many wonderful memories for everyone. Joseph Edward was preceded in death by both his parents, Lewis and Ruth and his only sibling:one brother Richard, as well as two children; Jerry & Rita. He is survived by his children and Grandchildren. Daughter Tracie and husband Steve Simpson of Lincoln, Daughter Gail and Husband Kevin Kline of Delphos Kansas, Daughter Krysti and husband Greg Michl of Lincoln. Son Richard and wife Debbie (Klinkman) Tondreau of Broken Bow and Daughter Jode and husband Patrick Weidmann of Englewood Colorado. Grandchildren: Brittney, Hannah & Shelbie Simpson. Taylor, Sydney & Krysten Kline, Kasi, Nathan & Jared Michl, Joshua, Katie & Jacob Tondreau. Austin & Logan Weidmann Visitation will be held at Govier Bros. Mortuary in Broken Bow on Wednesday from 8:00 am to 7:00pm, with the family greeting friends from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. A wake will follow at Goviers on Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 8th , 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Broken Bow, Ne with interment to follow at the Mason City Cemetery.