KATHLEEN JANE (CASSEL) STETZER
KATHLEEN JANE (CASSEL) STETZER
Kathleen Jane (Cassel) Stetzer, 73, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Jan. 14, 2024, while cheering on the Green Bay Packers in Black River Falls, WI.
She was born in Sparta, WI, Sept. 30, 1950, to Wilson and Delores (Gilbertson) Cassel. The youngest of four daughters, she spent her childhood in Melrose, WI. Kathleen attended Melrose-Mindoro High School, graduating with the class of 1968, where she was active in cheerleading, choir and playing the trumpet in the school marching band. Following high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She landed her first teaching job at the historic Third Street Elementary in Black River Falls, now known as Union Place; she would then teach in DeForest and Spooner, WI before returning to Black River Falls to finish her 30-plus teaching career. In 1989, Kathleen returned to UW-La Crosse to obtain her master’s degree in education. Her genuine affection and love for her students, combined with her mischievous, witty and fun-loving approach to life, made her beloved by her colleagues and students. In 2005, Kathleen was awarded Teacher of the Year by the Black River Falls School District. She retired from a successful and rewarding teaching career in June of 2006.
At the time, Kathleen had no idea that her talent for music and playing the trumpet would catch the eye of her future husband, Gerald Stetzer. As the story goes ... Kathleen was playing taps and Gerald was part of a 21-gun salute following his service in the Vietnam War when he first set eyes on her; but their love story didn’t begin until they were set up on a blind date while they were both in college at UW-La Crosse. The two were married at the United Methodist Church in Melrose Aug. 28, 1971. The two fondly reminisce about their college life together. Jerry and Kathleen moved to DeForest and then Spooner, WI, to pursue their careers, but realized they wanted to be closer to home. They finally settled on their 60-acre hobby farm on the outskirts of Black River Falls where they raised their three children, Sara, Kari and Greg. Kathleen’s devotion to her husband, children, extended family and friends was clear to everyone that knew her. Kathleen enjoyed every minute of her children’s active and busy lives while growing up. When she wasn’t driving them to all their activities, you could find her being the team’s biggest fan on the football, softball and baseball fields, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, gymnastics meets and dance/cheerleading competitions. Kathleen made such an impact to those around her; her up-for-anything personality and infectious giggle that turned into a laughter that brought happy tears to your eyes will be missed by her community.
Her devotion to her family did not stop once her children were grown. Kathleen took time every day to write to Kari and Greg during their deployments to Iraq and was always supportive of their military careers. She was incredibly proud of her daughter, Sara, who followed in her footsteps by becoming a teacher. While she was a devoted wife and supportive mother, becoming a grandmother really WAS her greatest role in life. Kathleen cherished being a grandmother more than anything. Her super fan status continued with her grandchildren following their talents at their sporting and extracurricular activities. Her holiday and care packages that she would put together to remind them how special each one of them was to her will be missed by her precious grandchildren.
Kathleen enjoyed every second of life, whether it was cruising with Jerry in their 1967 gold Camaro convertible, antique shopping and refinishing, gardening and landscaping around the farm, raising a unique variety of hobby farm animals (llamas and alpacas, chickens, cattle, sheep, goats, ducks, family dogs and a pony - naming these feathered and furry creatures was just as fun as raising them), deer hunting season, watching the Green Bay Packers play and taunting her son-in-law Dan who is a die-hard Vikings fan, spending time with family, friends and former students after retirement.
She is predeceased by her parents, Wilson and Delores; sister Mary (Peter) Overlien; in-laws Burnhum and Eleanor (Pfaff) Stetzer; and brother-in-law Michael Stetzer.
She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Gerald Stetzer; children Sara (Daniel) Palkowitsh, Kari (Joshua) Porter, and Greg (Annmarie Ransom) Stetzer; her six grandchildren, Isabella, Vincent, Quinn, Maddox, Garrett and Mikayla; sisters Alyce (Cassel) Schultz and Cheryl (Duane) Goodenough; sister-in-law Nancy (Danielson) Stetzer; and many extended family and friends.
The family will be holding a celebration of life for family and friends in the summer of 2024.
The Buswell Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements, 715-284-2231.