Joan M. Lodl, 98, Town of Mishicot, passed away Monday, October 19, 2026. She was born in Marshfield, WI on September 4, 1928, to the late Wilbert and Martha (Schmit) Kempen. She graduated from Mishicot High School in 1946. Her husband, Lester, recently shared that Joan asked him to Junior Prom, because he was too shy to ask her. Joan and Lester got married at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mishicot on October 22, 1949.

Joan worked in the Kempen family cheese factory growing up. She also worked as an executive secretary at Western Condensing and worked for the United States Postal Service for twenty plus years. Joan was a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 7753 of Mishicot, as well as a lifelong member of the Holy Cross Altar Society.

Joan was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Joan loved her grandkids and was very active in their sports and school activities. She was always willing to babysit and hosted fun overnights at her home, cottage, and in Minnesota. She loved visiting her great grandkids in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Joan and Lester were married almost 77 years. They did everything together. They loved to spend time bowling, golfing, taking trips to Branson with friends, snowmobiling, playing tennis, and they played volleyball on a couple's league at Mishicot High School. But what they enjoyed most of all was the time spent with family playing cards, attending Packer games, taking trips to Disneyworld, downhill skiing in Big Sky, taking an Alaskan cruise with the granddaughters, and time spent at their cottage in Three Lakes with their grandkids and great grandkids.

Joan is survived by her husband, Lester; her children, David (Margaret) Lodl, Douglas (Chris) Lodl, Diane (Gregg) Elliott; grandchildren, Stacy (Nate) Froese, Nicole (fiancé Tim) Elliott, Sean Elliott; great grandchildren, Lily Froese, Madilyn Froese, and Kolton Froese; further survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and Martha Kempen; brothers Vernon Kempen, Sylvester "Buddy" Kempen, Eugene (Janet) Kempen; sisters Lucile (Clarence) Haese, Lovila (Franklin) Haese, Margaret (Herbert) Schetter; brothers-in-law Daniel (Joyce) Lodl, John (Betty) Lodl; sisters-in-law, Florence (Bob) Scheuer, Grace (Ben) Domenoski, Arlene (Howard) Nehring; and lifelong friends, Jack and Shirley Haese.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mishicot. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Leo Kondru and Fr. Christian Raj co-celebrating. Entombment will take place at Knollwood Memorial Park at a later date.

Lambert-Eckert Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be shared at LambertEckert.com. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Kempen-Staudinger-Terens VFW Post #7753.

Special thank you to Sharen Richardson Hospice for their care during Joan's final days. Also, special thank you to Homecare Health Services and Joan's private caregivers who gave such exceptional care for the last five years.