Rob L. Jackels

Kaukauna – Rob Jackels, age 48, passed away at his home with his parents at his side on February 6, 2025, after a 4-month battle with cancer. He was born in Kaukauna on November 7, 1976, son of Bob and Lee Ann (Schoen) Jackels. Rob graduated from Kaukauna High School with the class of 1995.

Rob helped his uncle for a while at Dave Schoen Masonry, and then began working at Thilmany Paper Mill until his snowmobile accident in 1998. Even though Rob would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, that certainly never slowed him down. His motto of “Wide Open Until You See God” was exactly how he lived his life. He continued working along side of his dad with small engine repairs, fixing up cars, and he even just bought a Figure-8 race car, which he had every intention to drive. Rob’s pink 1974 Plymouth Barracuda was rumored to have spent time at WIR on the quarter mile drag strip, doing 10 second runs. Rob enjoyed making maple syrup in the spring and hunting in the fall. He helped organize several area car shows with the help of others, and was awarded the Kaukauna Volunteer of the Year in 2022 for his help with the car show to benefit the Grignon Mansion.

In 2010, he was blessed with his two kids that soon won his heart. Rob was his parents pride and joy, and the love they shared was immeasurable. Rob would give the shirt off of his back to anyone, and his larger-than-life personality will be dearly missed.

Rob is survived by his parents, Bob and Lee Ann Jackels; children: Payton King and Haley Ziegler; aunts and uncles: Linda (Florian) Van Handel, Joe (Lisa) Jackels, Pam (Jerry) Sturm, Tony (Beth) Jackels, Karen Jackels, Jim Biese, Dave Schoen, Evelyn Morser, Roy Schoen, Brenda (Bill) Vande Wettering and Jennifer (Aaron) LaVoy; numerous cousins, other family members and countless amazing friends.

Rob was preceded in death by his grandma and grandpa, Bernice and Louie Jackels; grannie and gramps, Judy and Ed Sasnowski; Godparents, Dan and Mary Kay Lester; uncle, Bill Jackels; aunt, Karen Coffey; cousin, Tracy Van Handel.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 309 Desnoyer Street, Kaukauna. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Kaukauna. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The Jackels family would like to express a special thank you to the staffs of Compassus Hospice and St. Elizabeth Oncology Department for their compassionate care. Also, great thanks to Rob’s friends for their continued support and friendship, especially Brian Hintz, Ed Howard, Gary “Bones” Beyer, Snapper Nollenberg, Chad Cummings, Andy Johnson, Lenny Fleming and everyone that took the time to send texts, phone calls and visits. Your love and kindness will not be forgotten.