Joan Kuehl

Joan C. Kuehl, 84, of Platteville, Wisconsin, died on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Edenbrook of Platteville. Friends may call from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Private family services will follow. Pastor Mary Ann Floerke will officiate. Burial will be at Lima Union Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Joan C. Kuehl Memorial Fund, which can be mailed to the funeral home at PO Box 245 Platteville, WI 53818. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing during your time at the funeral home.

Joan was born on December 30, 1935 in Ellenboro Township, daughter of Clement and Agnes (Ludwig) Leighty. She attended Buckwheat Ridge school and graduated from Platteville High School in 1953. In June, 1953 she started working in Madison at what is now known as American Family Insurance. On December 22, 1953, she married the love of her life, Gilbert Kuehl. Gilbert was serving in the United States Air Force and after a short time, stationed overseas. During his tour, Joan worked in Madison. Upon Gilbert's return, he was stationed in San Bernardino, California, Joan joined him there and continued her work for an insurance agency. Upon Gilbert's discharge from the service, they returned to Madison for a short time. They purchased a farm in Lima township on January 1, 1958 and worked side by side, until Gilbert's death on November 16, 1987. Joan moved to Platteville in 1988. Joan was a member of the United Methodist Church, where she was active in the United Methodist Women. She spent many hours volunteering and working for her church.

Joan is survived by six nieces, Kathy (David) Wellsandt, Patty (Danny) Wellsandt, Deanna (David) Koralesky, Julie Leighty, Janet Leighty, and Joanne Leighty, two nephews: John (Leah) Leighty and Jim (Karen) Leighty, four great nieces: Murphy (Kyle) McFall, Katie Koralesky, Krysta Koralesky, and Erika Leighty, four great nephews: Mitch (Molly) Wellsandt, Steve (Samantha) Koralesky, Chris Leighty and Nic Leighty, and by two great great nieces, Kelby McFall and Ashton Wellsandt.

In addition to her husband, Joan was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters: Anna Marie Leighty, Doris Murphy and Patricia Mitchell, five brothers: Darrell Leighty, Ora Leighty, Donald Leighty, James Leighty and Keith Leighty, sisters-in-law Margaret Jean Leighty, Harriet Leighty, Elizabeth Leighty and Viola Kuehl, and brothers-in-law Hugh (Matt) Murphy, Harvey Mitchell, Douglas Kuehl and Merlyn Kuehl.