Wenzel C. Swagel Jr., 89, Kewaunee, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, March 30, 2026.
He was born on February 19, 1937, to the late Wenzel A. and Mary (Dworak) Swagel. Wenzel graduated from Kewaunee High School in 1955. He served in the United States Army from 1959-1962. Wenzel married Emily L. Plansky on September 26, 1964, at St. John’s Church in Krok
. Wenzel worked as a Tool and Die Maker at Leyse Aluminum Company in Kewaunee. He lived a full and active life shaped by hard work, family, and the outdoors. In his younger years, he enjoyed boxing, as well as hunting and trapping.
A dairy farmer for most of his life, farming was not just his occupation but his deepest passion. He took great pride in watching his sons and daughter, and later his grandsons, race motocross, something that brought him immense joy over the years. When he was younger, he did his fair share of riding dirt bikes in the back field after a hard day’s work. After retiring from farming in 2006, he and Emily spent many years traveling together, creating lasting memories until 2018. In his later years, he especially enjoyed taking car rides to see what local farmers were doing, always staying connected to the life he loved. He also had a well-known fondness for ice cream, a simple pleasure that never faded.
Wenzel is survived by his wife, Emily; his children Wenzel S. (Jane) Swagel, Richard (Jennifer) Swagel, Dawn (Mark “Rusty”) Bublitz, and Susan (David) LaCrosse; grandchildren, Jasmine, Emily, Wenzel “Alex” Swagel, Evan and Aaron Lohrey; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Sharon Swagel, Bonnie Plansky, Dale (Doris) Plansky; also survived by nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Gladys Swagel, Alvin Swagel, Alice (Robert) Koenig; brother-in-law Gary Plansky; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Arthur and Shirley Plansky.
Per Wenzel’s wishes, a private family service will be held at Kinnard Funeral & Cremations Services – Kewaunee, with Fr. Dennis Drury and Deacon Dave Scheuer officiating. Burial will follow in the Krok Cemetery with full Military Rites. Online condolences can be shared at KinnardFCS.com
Special thank you to Aurora Baycare Medical Center – Fourth Floor, Jay’s Legacy (Home Healthcare), and Christina Skalecki (Private OT who gave dad mobility beyond what he dreamed).
