In Memory Of
Carl E. Breitenstein Jr.
1941
2023
Carl E. Breitenstein Jr.
June 10, 1941 — December 16, 2023
Carl E. Breitenstein Jr. was born on June 10, 1941 in Louisville, Kentucky. He went to live with Jesus for all eternity on December 16, 2023.
Carl grew up getting into mischief with his cousins at his parent's vegetable farm on Durrett Lane. He attended Prestonia Elementary and graduated high school from Kentucky Military Institute (KMI) in Venice, Florida. KMI held a special place in his heart, and he never missed an opportunity to share stories about his friends and their shenanigans in those days. Carl then earned a Bachelor of Science and Commerce Degree from his beloved University of Louisville in 1964. During his time at U of L, he worked as a posting clerk at First National Bank. It was there he met his beautiful bride, Kathleen Dunn. She was the boss's secretary and caught his eye on the very first day…the way Carl would tell it. They began dating after the annual 'Bank Picnic' at Standard Country Club. Their love grew as they dated for the next two years, and they were married in 1963.
They purchased their first and only home in Jeffersontown that same year, where they raised their two children: Karen and Steven. Carl and Kathleen started framing pictures in their basement as a hobby and it soon blossomed into a small business as word spread through friends. Carl left banking in the 1970's to open Breitenstein Frame Shoppe in the Plainview Village Shopping Center. Their store thrived for 34 years, and in 2011 they closed the doors to begin their retirement. Carl could easily spot his own framing when admiring artwork in the Louisville area!
Service and leadership was important to Carl as a business professional and he was a member of the Jeffersontown Rotary Club. He served as President of the local club, and later as Treasurer of District 671. He was honored with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award for his dedication to the mission of Rotary Club. As a Rotarian, Carl was most proud of serving on the committee to establish the Jeffersontown Library in its new and current location. For many years, he was also an active member and Director of the former Sales and Marketing Executives of Louisville.
If you ever ate dinner with or talked restaurants with Carl, you know he loved to eat and never missed a meal! He loved being at the beach—any given day he would tell you stories about fishing or vacationing with the Garners, who have been dear family friends for decades. He loved to garden and enjoyed planting the flowers and veggies that filled his beautiful backyard oasis. Every December, Carl would go all out with Christmas decorations. He would meticulously set up the nativity and other meaningful decorations in places of pride throughout their home. He lovingly hung the trees with gorgeous ornaments, most of which had a special story, or were gifted by a special person.
Carl's greatest passion was loving his grandchildren and spending time with them, attending their activities, and celebrating their accomplishments. He loved bluegrass and gospel music, a bountiful crop of summer tomatoes, a great U of L football or basketball game, telling stories, a good cup of coffee, and most especially—a good practical joke. You already know this if you've ever had the pleasure of meeting Matilda the mannequin!
Carl gave his life to the Lord and became a devoted, longtime member of Southeast Christian Church and more recently Hikes Point Christian Church. He cherished serving the church and spending time with his church family. We are so thankful for those that continued to minister to him in the last few years when his health issues prevented him from attending in person.
Carl is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathleen; his daughter Karen B. Rogers (Matthew), son Steven G. Breitenstein (Holly); grandchildren, Tori Rogers Glanz (Patrick); Allie, Sydney, & Miles Breitenstein; and cousins who were like siblings to him, Earl, Herman, and Nancy Breitenstein, and Carol Lynn Rohde. Predeceased are his parents, Carl E. and Lillian H. Breitenstein; and his grandson, Douglas Luke Rogers.
The family respectfully requests that masks be worn during Carl's visitation and service.
Memorial donations can be made to:
Hikes Point Christian Church
2601 Hikes Lane, Louisville, KY 40218
https://hikespointchristian.com
Barren Heights (supporting special needs children and their families)
11420 Watterson Court #800, Louisville, KY 40299
https://barrenheights.org
To share a memory of Carl or leave a special message for his family, please click the Share Memories button/Facebook above.
Carl grew up getting into mischief with his cousins at his parent's vegetable farm on Durrett Lane. He attended Prestonia Elementary and graduated high school from Kentucky Military Institute (KMI) in Venice, Florida. KMI held a special place in his heart, and he never missed an opportunity to share stories about his friends and their shenanigans in those days. Carl then earned a Bachelor of Science and Commerce Degree from his beloved University of Louisville in 1964. During his time at U of L, he worked as a posting clerk at First National Bank. It was there he met his beautiful bride, Kathleen Dunn. She was the boss's secretary and caught his eye on the very first day…the way Carl would tell it. They began dating after the annual 'Bank Picnic' at Standard Country Club. Their love grew as they dated for the next two years, and they were married in 1963.
They purchased their first and only home in Jeffersontown that same year, where they raised their two children: Karen and Steven. Carl and Kathleen started framing pictures in their basement as a hobby and it soon blossomed into a small business as word spread through friends. Carl left banking in the 1970's to open Breitenstein Frame Shoppe in the Plainview Village Shopping Center. Their store thrived for 34 years, and in 2011 they closed the doors to begin their retirement. Carl could easily spot his own framing when admiring artwork in the Louisville area!
Service and leadership was important to Carl as a business professional and he was a member of the Jeffersontown Rotary Club. He served as President of the local club, and later as Treasurer of District 671. He was honored with the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award for his dedication to the mission of Rotary Club. As a Rotarian, Carl was most proud of serving on the committee to establish the Jeffersontown Library in its new and current location. For many years, he was also an active member and Director of the former Sales and Marketing Executives of Louisville.
If you ever ate dinner with or talked restaurants with Carl, you know he loved to eat and never missed a meal! He loved being at the beach—any given day he would tell you stories about fishing or vacationing with the Garners, who have been dear family friends for decades. He loved to garden and enjoyed planting the flowers and veggies that filled his beautiful backyard oasis. Every December, Carl would go all out with Christmas decorations. He would meticulously set up the nativity and other meaningful decorations in places of pride throughout their home. He lovingly hung the trees with gorgeous ornaments, most of which had a special story, or were gifted by a special person.
Carl's greatest passion was loving his grandchildren and spending time with them, attending their activities, and celebrating their accomplishments. He loved bluegrass and gospel music, a bountiful crop of summer tomatoes, a great U of L football or basketball game, telling stories, a good cup of coffee, and most especially—a good practical joke. You already know this if you've ever had the pleasure of meeting Matilda the mannequin!
Carl gave his life to the Lord and became a devoted, longtime member of Southeast Christian Church and more recently Hikes Point Christian Church. He cherished serving the church and spending time with his church family. We are so thankful for those that continued to minister to him in the last few years when his health issues prevented him from attending in person.
Carl is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathleen; his daughter Karen B. Rogers (Matthew), son Steven G. Breitenstein (Holly); grandchildren, Tori Rogers Glanz (Patrick); Allie, Sydney, & Miles Breitenstein; and cousins who were like siblings to him, Earl, Herman, and Nancy Breitenstein, and Carol Lynn Rohde. Predeceased are his parents, Carl E. and Lillian H. Breitenstein; and his grandson, Douglas Luke Rogers.
The family respectfully requests that masks be worn during Carl's visitation and service.
Memorial donations can be made to:
Hikes Point Christian Church
2601 Hikes Lane, Louisville, KY 40218
https://hikespointchristian.com
Barren Heights (supporting special needs children and their families)
11420 Watterson Court #800, Louisville, KY 40299
https://barrenheights.org
To share a memory of Carl or leave a special message for his family, please click the Share Memories button/Facebook above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carl E. Breitenstein Jr., please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
10:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Hikes Point Christian Church
Service
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Starts at 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Hikes Point Christian Church
Guestbook
Visits: 22
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