Randal H. Joeckel

January 9, 1950 to August 16, 2026: Randy was a loving husband, father and grandfather, an active church member and volunteer. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and watching Brewers and Packer games with family and friends. But his deepest joy came from cheering on his kids and grandkids in all their sports games and activities. He was their biggest fan.

Randy was born on a farm in Jackson, Wisconsin where he learned to get up early and work hard. He attended Germantown High School and married his high school sweetheart, Linda Swinehart on December 19, 1970.

He graduated from UW Stout and later received his master’s degree from Stout. He was a high school welding teacher for 28 years at Beaver Dam High School and a 35-year veteran of the US Army National Guard. As Chief Warrant Officer 5, he received the Bronze Star Metal for his leadership serving in Kuwait during the Iraqi Freedom War assigned to the 276th Maintenance Company from Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico. He was in charge of the Allied Trades Section and led the mission to reenforce the Hum-Vs to protect the soldiers from Roadside IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices). This mission saved the lives of many soldiers.

Outside of church, family and military, Randy was an avid gardener bringing large harvests of produce to his family and friends each year. His love for gardening likely came from his childhood on the farm. Along with his large garden over the years, he also had apple trees, pear trees, raspberry bushes, and grape vines. He made many attempts at making beer and wine in his basement with his own produce, and he canned beans, asparagus, pickles and peppers and made endless types of salsa and jams. He built his own wood shop attached to his home and created many wood products including wooden kayaks and wooden paddles. He was a true “hands on do-it-yourselfer” that was always finding a new trade.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents Ruby and Virgil Joeckel and his younger brother Dale Joeckel.

Randy is survived by his wife Linda Joeckel, his children Daniel Joeckel and Jennifer Burfeind (John Burfeind) and six grandchildren: Andrew Joeckel, Grace Burfeind, Joe Burfeind, Ella Burfeind, Jack Burfeind, and Katie Burfeind. His sister, Tammy Bezold (Guy Bezold), Sister-in-Law Jill Joeckel, and brother Jim Joeckel.

A memorial gathering for Randy will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at First Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam from 10: 00 am until Noon. A memorial service will begin at Noon with Rev. Jim Wendt officiating followed by military honors conducted by the Beaver Dam American Legion Post #146 and a luncheon.

The family asks for memorials to be directed towards Loaves and Fishes. A local charity that Randy and Linda are proudly involved in serving and delivering over 1,000 meals every Tuesday to those in need throughout the community.