Barbara Jean Jaeckel

Barbara Jean "Barb" (Bente) Jaeckel, age 87, of Jefferson, Wisconsin, passed peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin after a brief illness.

Barb was born at Watertown Hospital in Watertown, Wisconsin on June 12, 1938, the eldest daughter of Victor and Shirley (Hook) Bente. Barb was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Rome, Wisconsin. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She attended the Wisconsin State College in Whitewater, Wisconsin, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She taught fourth grade at Barrie Elementary in Fort Atkinson. She also worked at Larsons Canning Company in Fort Atkinson where she met Richard "Dick" Jaeckel. On July 8, 1961, Barb married Dick at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Rome. After teaching she was the bookkeeper for Jaeckel Brothers Excavating until her passing. An active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson, she was involved with Ladies Aide. Barb was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also involved with the local TOPS chapter. Barb loved gardening, sewing, helping with farm chores including chicken chores and selling eggs, collecting and making recipes as well as playing Bingo. She enjoyed several trips to Branson, Missouri.

Surviving are: Son: Willie (Jennifer) Jaeckel, Jefferson, Wisconsin; Daughters: Susan Jaeckel, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Betty (Glenn Dzioba) Jaeckel, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and Jeanette (Brian) Pletsch, Lake Zurich, Illinois; Grandchildren: McCoy (Sheila) Jaeckel, Whitewater, Wisconsin, McKinly (Abbey) Jaeckel, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, CeAnna Jaeckel, Jefferson, Wisconsin; Great Grandchildren: Everest Jaeckel, Summit Jaeckel, Stella Jaeckel; Brother: Victor (Lois) Bente, Jefferson, Wisconsin; Sister: Carole (Robert) Wellborn, Watseka, Illinois, Sister-in-Law: Anna Reich, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Jaeckel, parents, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

Friends may call from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 and from 9:00 am until the service on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Rainbow Hospice, or a place of your choosing.