Joseph J. Brech, better known as "Joe" to his family and friends, was born on May 5, 1911, in Parkston, South Dakota, to Joseph and Mary (Miller) Brech.

In 1923 he moved with his parents to a farm located southwest of Cottonwood, South Dakota, where he grew up and attended rural school.

In his early years, Joe was employed by the town of Cottonwood as town police officer and operated the Cottonwood power plant.  He also cut men and boys hair for many years in Cottonwood.

Joe was united in marriage to Frances Arionus on September 17, 1934, at Cottonwood.

In May of 1929 he began working for the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad at Cottonwood.  In 1943 he became foreman of the track division.  Besides Cottonwood, he worked in the VanMeter, Wasta, Hermosa, and Wall areas before retiring at Philip in July of 1974.

He began working for the Philip Livestock Auction Market in early 1976 and retired in early 1982 after having a light stroke and his heath began to fail.  They moved to Rapid City in September of 1982.

Joe was a member of Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help of Rapid City and a former member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip where he also was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #2679.  He had also served several years on the Cottonwood school board.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Frances, of Rapid City; two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Lorraine) Brooks of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Mrs. Jerry (Joanne) Bloom of New Underwood, South Dakota; one son, Lynn Brech of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ted Brech of Parkston, South Dakota, and Raymond Brech of Philip, South Dakota; two sisters, Irene McIlravy and Sally Gebes, both of Philip, South Dakota; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Delmar L. and Urban W. Brech; and two sisters, Hildegard Hohn and Lucille Smith.

Rosary Service
Thursday, December 18, 1986
7:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, December 19, 1986
1:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

Celebrant
Father William O'Connell

Con-Celebrant
Father Christopher F. Scadron

Music
JoAnne Stilwell - Organist
Richard Baye, Edmund "Sonny" Baye,
and Keith Emerson - Vocalists

Ushers
Scott Brech - Jim Smith

Active Pallbearers (All Grandsons)
Jeff Brooks - Shane Taylor
Rob Brooks - Brent Taylor
Josh Brooks - Todd Taylor
Ryan Brech - Joe Taylor

Honorary Pallbearers
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Interment
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota