Lauretta Maxine (Bredow) Cutler, 97, of Waterloo, Iowa, died on July 23, 2026–7 hours after her husband of 75 years, Vince Cutler. Daughter of Max and Laura (Bolte) Bredow, Lauretta was a 1947 graduate of East High in Waterloo. She attended Iowa State Teachers College and Wartburg College, sandwiching an unforgettable summer working in Yellowstone National Park between her college years. She worked at Hinsons Manufacturing following college and at all levels of school as a teacher aide until she retired.

After marrying her high school sweetheart Vince Cutler in 1950, Lauretta began raising four children while being active in PTA/PTO, P.E.O, Jr. Women’s League, and the Women’s Auxiliary of the old First Lutheran Church in Waterloo. She served as President in every organization. Despite her many commitments, Lauretta put her children and her children’s friends first when they needed a listening ear. She opened her home and yard for years of birthday parties and baseball games. Indeed, talking with family and friends was one of her greatest joys. She was a life-long lover of garage sales, the soap opera “As the World Turns,” and peanut butter popcorn. She would have loved knowing that among some of their hospice nurses she and Vince were known fondly as “The Notebook Couple” because, like the fictional couple, they held hands in their beds in the days before their deaths.

Lauretta is survived by children Leesa (Adrian) Talbot of Cedar Falls, Jamie (Leslie) Cutler of Waterloo, Andy (Tracy) Cutler of Omaha, Laurie (Chris) Schafer of Traer, 11 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter (Janie) and both her brothers (Virgil and Vernon Bredow).

As a person who loved having the last word, Lauretta wrote the following to include in her obituary: “Vince and I know we are going to heaven because we’ve accepted Jesus as our Savior.” Amen, Mom. We love you more than the grass is green. An open house will be held on Sunday, Sept 20 from 2-4 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. Memorials may be directed to the Gideons or Unity Point Hospice.