Kathleen Jane (Cassel) Stetzer, 73, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on January 14 th , 2024, while
cheering on the Green Bay Packers in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.
She was born in Sparta, Wisconsin on September 30 th , 1950, to Wilson and Delores (Gilbertson) Cassel.
The youngest of four daughters, she spent her childhood in Melrose, Wisconsin. 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 DeForrest and Spooner, WI before returning to Black River Falls to finish her 30+
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 –
LaCrosse. The two were married at the United Methodist Church in Melrose on August 28th, 1971. The
two fondly reminisce about their college life together. Jerry and Kathleen moved to DeForrest and then
Spooner, Wisconsin 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 3
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 & 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,
antique shopping and refinishing, gardening and landscaping around the farm, raising a unique variety of
hobby farm animals (llamas & 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, Mikayla, sisters Alyce (Cassel) Schultz, 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.
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