WATERLOO - The Rev. George W. Breitkreuz, 80, of Waterloo, died Monday, Dec. 3, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, following a stroke.

He was born May 8, 1927, in Springside, Saskatchewan, son of Samuel and Emilie Breitkreuz. He married Esther I. Krombein June 5, 1953, in Eureka, S.D. She preceded him in death Nov. 19, 2007.

The Rev. Breitkreuz earned his undergraduate degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., and graduated from North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls. He earned his master's degree in divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill.

He ministered in a number of churches during his career including First Baptist Church, Lehr, N.D.; Trinity Baptist Church, Portland, Ore.; Bethany Baptist Church, Anaheim, Calif.; First Baptist Church, Elgin; Grace Baptist Church, Racine, Wis.; Temple Baptist Church, Jamestown, N.D.; Salt Creek Baptist Church, Dallas, Ore.; and Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna, British Columbia.

He officially retired in 1992 but continued working in ministry until the time of his death and was planning to complete a mission trip in the near future.

George enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters and visiting with family and friends. He liked to take mission trips and travel, enjoyed going on walks and was fond of homemade cookies.

Survived by: a daughter, Karen Breitkreuz of West New York, N.J.; a son, Dr. David (Sandy) of Waterloo; two granddaughters; Elizabeth and Tatyana Breitkreuz; two sisters, Inga Berg of Springside, Saskatchewan, and Irma Arndt of Yorkton, Saskatchewan; a brother, Bert Breitkreuz of Springside; a sister-in-law, Mabel Walters of Iowa City; and a brother-in-law, Norman Krombein of Glendale, Ariz.

Preceded in death by: his parents; his wife; two sisters; and three brothers.

Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Cedar Heights Baptist Church, Cedar Falls, with burial in Waterloo Cemetery. Public visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Kearns, Huisman-Schumacher Chapel on Kimball, Waterloo, and for an hour before services Saturday at the church.

Memorials: may be directed to Wycliffe Bible Translators, in care of account No. 286006, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200.

Condolences may be left at www.kearnsfuneralservice.com.