Kathleen Hetzel 08/12/2025

Kathleen Ann Hetzel (née Braunschweig)
Kathleen Ann Hetzel of Amery, WI passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025 surrounded by love and lifted by faith. Kathy was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend with an adventurous spirit who lived courageously until her very last day.
Born in Watertown, WI on September 5, 1951, Kathy spent her childhood in rural Neosho and graduated from Hartford High School. She earned both her BS and MS from UW-Stevens Point. Kathy was married to Jeffrey Hetzel for 31 years, and together they lovingly raised two children.
Kathy made her mark through a lifelong commitment to teaching and serving others. She taught high school and middle school Family and Consumer Education in Wauwatosa, Kewaskum, and Campbellsport, equipping hundreds of students with essential skills in cooking, sewing, and practical living. Later, as the family living educator for Dodge County UW-Extension, she specialized in personal finance and childcare, empowering countless families to thrive.
Even in retirement, Kathy’s heart for service never waned. She spent a year in Slovakia teaching English, helped build a home in Guatemala, and returned to Haiti multiple times to distribute water filters. Her retirement years also brought a new kind of adventure as she relocated to a home with a view in Polk County—surrounded by water, wildlife, and endless opportunities to explore. She was also a loyal and enthusiastic Milwaukee Brewers fan, cheering them on through every season.
Kathy’s adventurous spirit carried her to more than 60 countries with friends and family, always seeking new places and perspectives. She embraced the outdoors with boundless energy, whether biking, hiking, kayaking, or skiing. Although she never completed the entire Ice Age Trail, she hiked over 500 of its 1,200 miles and devoted many hours to maintaining it for others to enjoy.
She is survived by her children Jeanette (Don) Juetten and Brian (Sheila) Hetzel; her beloved grandchildren Jenna Juetten and Chase and Evelyn Hetzel; her aunt and uncle, Erla and Bud Newbecker; and her siblings Wes Braunschweig, Linda Braunschweig, Mavis Pusch, and Clyde Braunschweig. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeffrey, and her parents, Franklin and Alice Braunschweig.
A visitation will be held Thursday, August 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by a service at noon and luncheon, at Zion Lutheran Church of Ashippun. A second gathering will take place on Sunday, August 24 at East Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amery, with a memorial luncheon at 11:45 a.m., a prayer service at 12:30 p.m., and visitation to follow.
In honor of Kathy’s lifelong mission to help others, memorials can be made to Ventures in People (viphaiti.org), supporting the children and families of Mirebalais, Haiti.
No coffee will be served—maybe margaritas.
Cremation services provided by Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.