Gregory "Greg" Breitbarth , 68, of Akron, Iowa, passed away Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Celebration of Life Service will be 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2022, at St. John's Lutheran Church - Preston Township, rural Akron, Iowa. Reverend Trish Underberg will officiate. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 15, 2022, at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron.

Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Gregory Vernon Breitbarth, the son of Randall and Berniece (Borchers) Breitbarth, was born on August 13, 1953 in Akron, Iowa. He attended country school and then attended high school in Akron, graduating from Akron High School in 1971. After graduation, he went to Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City for auto mechanics. He worked for Mel Brodie at Brodie's Implement in Akron and at Dirks Motor in Akron. Greg then pursued his loving of farming and farmed with his dad outside of Akron. He took over the farming operation when Randall decided to retire. Greg fed fat cattle and had a large cow/calf operation. He also worked in his farrow to finish hog operation back in the days in crude barn letting out the sows and vaccinating piglets. Greg also sold Asgrow Seed for many years, making many good acquaintances and friends along the way.

Greg was united in marriage to Julie Larsen on December 14, 1974.

Besides his love and passion for farming, his talent and skill as a mechanic was no secret. As a young man, he built and raced the quarter mile dragstrip in Marion, South Dakota. He passed that enthusiasm on to his son, Chase, when they purchased a '67 Chevelle that Chase raced for several years. Chase then passed the car onto his dad and Greg "tweaked" a few things and has been racing summers since then. He was very proud of his racing times and the race family he had at the Thunder Valley track. He also restored his '69 Camaro after it was caught in a hailstorm in Deadwood. He was able to have the Camaro out several times this summer.

Greg was not only a great mechanic and conservative farmer, but he was also an excellent role model for Chase and passed along all those skills to him. His love of cars was not lost on his daughters. They also inherited his knowledge and appreciation of cars.

He enjoyed going to concerts, appreciated great rock and roll music and would occasionally attend some theater events with his wife. He loved watching his grandchildren's sporting events and activities and valued family time.

Greg was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church – Preston Township, rural Akron, Iowa, serving on the church council and several committees, was on the Pork Producers board, member of the Cattlemen's Association, the FSA board, Akron Coop board and the FFA Alumni.

Greg is survived by his wife, Julie Brietbarth of Akron; his daughters: Cortnie (James) Montagne of Sioux City, IA, and Codie (Jeffrey) Keirsey of Kansas City, MO; a son: Chase (Amanda) Breitbarth of Le Mars, IA; 6 grandchildren: Alexis, Kennedy, Reagan, and Gage Breitbarth along with Greyson and Elise Keirsey; his sister, Barbara Gross of Brighton, MI; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Randall and Berniece Breitbarth, and his father and mother-in-law, Cy and Dottie Larsen.