Erna C. Breithaupt (Boettcher)

Erna C. (Boettcher) Breithaupt, 100, of Reiffton, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022, in Berkshire Center. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Carl and Elsie Boettcher. She was a graduate of Dunmore High School and the valedictorian of the class of 1939. She and her late husband, Robert H. “Breity” Breithaupt, began an adventure when, in 1967, they opened the Dutch Colony Motor Inn along Perkiomen Avenue in Exeter Township. The “Dutch” was an iconic destination in the Reading area based on Breity’s life-long love of and experiences in aviation. The restaurant was one of the few places in the country where patrons could dine under an airplane (an antique Velie Monocoupe) suspended from the ceiling. Breity would hold court in the lobby, greeting guests and telling stories while “Mrs. B” worked quietly behind the scenes and made the daily operation a success.

Erna was an active member of Reformation Lutheran Church where she volunteered her time and energy to the church’s soup kitchen program. She faithfully ran the church kitchen program for many years organizing, buying, cooking and baking the church’s monthly soup kitchen meal. She was also a very active member of the Women's Club of Exeter Township. Erna is survived by her children Susan Doll (Scott), Nancy Breithaupt, and Jaime Wagner (Ken); five grandchildren; Leslie Maillie, Matthew Doll, Alexandra Clark, Kady Sealock and Carrie Wagner; six great-grandchildren; Nicholas, Ella, Madeline, Ashley, Hadley, and Ledger. She was preceded in death by her sister Emma Unley.

Erna’s family is forever grateful for the kind, gentle, compassionate and loving care provided by Erna’s caregivers, Kim Shingle, Carly Weiss, Tracy Reed and Nancy Pezzino. We would be remiss if we did not recognize Nancy’s nearly twenty years of continuous care to Erna and Breity and her familial love for them. Thank you, Nancy. Visitation with family and friends will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022 from 10:00 to 11:00 with services beginning at 11:00 in Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. 2100 Perkiomen Ave Reading, PA 19606. Interment will be at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Township. Erna loved her flowers and her church, flowers can be sent to Lutz Funeral Home or contributions can be made to Reformation Lutheran Church, Reiffton. Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.LutzFuneralHome.com