Eugene W. "Pretzel" Janezich

Eugene W. “Pretzel” Janezich, 87, of Bremen, passed away after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Highland Park, Illinois, on September 26, 1938, and grew up in Wisconsin, where he was raised by his grandparents and Uncle Hank.

In the fall of 1959, Pretzel moved with his mother from Wisconsin to Waukegan, Illinois. He worked briefly on a mink ranch before beginning his career with Johnson Motors. After being laid off, he went to work for Midwest Foam. When the company burned down in 1966, it relocated Pretzel and his family to Bremen. By February 1967, the company had changed hands for the fourth time and became Stauffer Chemical. Pretzel continued working there until 1977.

He then became Maintenance Supervisor for Bremen Public Schools, a position he held until his retirement in 2004. Even after retiring, he continued overseeing the school grounds on a part-time basis for approximately three more years. Pretzel later worked for Bellman Oil for seven years, where he especially enjoyed fishing on Lake Michigan with Jim Bellman.

Pretzel was a hardworking man throughout his life and took great pride in providing for his family. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed butchering his own chickens and pigs and making sausage, skills he learned from his grandfather and Uncle Hank. In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling and also took great pleasure in caring for his several beehives.

On May 27, 1961, Pretzel married Harriet “Sally” Butler in Evanston, Illinois. The couple recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Sally survives, along with their two children, Susan (Doug) Coddens and Gene Janezich, all of Bremen; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Thirteen years ago, Pretzel was blessed to reconnect with his half-brother and half-sister, Paul Klancer and Kay Plautz, and their families. He had not seen or spoken with them since high school. Paul and Kay also survive.

Pretzel was a man who rarely missed a day of work due to illness and remained active and independent throughout much of his life. He underwent his one and only surgery in December 2022 at the age of 84, and it was around that time that he began his courageous fight with pancreatic cancer.

Even during his illness, Pretzel continued doing what he loved. He could often be found cutting wood with his trusty chainsaw and spending time in the woods with his trailer full of freshly cut firewood. During his final months, he enjoyed sitting on the patio porch swing with his beloved cat or visiting with anyone who stopped by. He cherished those simple moments, and the time spent with family, friends, and those who came to see him.

Pretzel will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, provider, and friend—a hardworking man who loved the outdoors, took pride in his work, and valued the people in his life.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his mother, Albeana Helmick; and his Uncle Hank.

A memorial visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 803 W. Bike St., Bremen. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 noon, with burial of his ashes to follow at Bremen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Dominic Catholic Church or Gentiva Hospice