Joanne Muriel Stangel, age 89, passed away peacefully at her home on October 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 1, 1936, in Ripon, Wisconsin, Joanne was the daughter of the late Clarence Hasse and the late Laura (Krentz) Hasse.
She grew up in Ripon before moving to Kohler, where she graduated from Kohler High School in June of 1954. It was in high school that Joanne met the love of her life, Carl “Pat” Stangel. Every day, they would walk to school together — a simple beginning to a beautiful lifelong journey. After graduation, Pat joined the U.S. Navy, and upon his return, the two became engaged and were married on October 26, 1957. Just one day before Joanne’s passing, they celebrated 68 wonderful years of marriage.
Together, they raised four children — Jill, Julie, John, and Rachel. Joanne was a devoted and loving mother who took great joy in being involved in all her children’s activities.
In her youth, Joanne enjoyed bowling, but her greatest passion was music. She loved playing the guitar and harmonica and was an active member of her church choir. Her family will forever remember her cheerful singing and the little tunes she would hum throughout the house.
Joanne’s creativity shone through in her love of crafting. Whether she was knitting, embroidering, painting, or making pincushions, she always had a project in her hands — and she delighted in giving handmade creations to those she loved.
A faithful servant of God, Joanne was an active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Kohler, where she participated in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the Mission Circle. She lived her faith daily, embodying her favorite saying: “Joy comes from keeping Jesus first, others second, and yourself third.”
Joanne had a deep appreciation for nature and animals. She loved spending time up north at the family cottage on Kelly Lake and cherishing time spent with her sister and brother-in-law Mary and Dave Huber, at their cottage in Lac Du Flambeau.
She will be deeply missed by her beloved husband of 68 years, Carl “Pat” Stangel; her children Jill (Jeff) Young Eagle, Julie (Jerry) Link, John Stangel, and Rachel (Eric) Bauer; her grandchildren Aaron Groth, Andrea (Nathan) Miller, Rhaina (Bruce) Meyers, Adam (Jenna) Werner, Chase (Special friend-Darcy) Koepp, Micah Bauer, and Hailey Bauer; and her great-grandchildren Savannah, Benson, and Aria Myers, Carly Miller, Liam, Lane, and Elletta Werner.
She is also survived by her sister Mary (Dave) Huber, her sister-in-law Beth (Bill) Van De Gutche, her nephew and godson Mark Huber, and her niece Sarah Hutton, along with many other family members and friends.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the staff at Sharon S. Richardson Hospice and to Patricia Dallas for their compassionate care and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church in Kohler or to the American Cancer Society.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, 222 Church Street, Kohler, Wisconsin. The Funeral Service will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by interment at Woodland Cemetery.
Wenig Funeral Home – Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolences.
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