Joan Rae Schamel
March 5, 1936 — June 2, 2014
Joan Rae (Koetter) Schamel, age 78, passed away peacefully, Monday, June 2, 2014 at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha with family at her bedside.
She was born on March 5, 1936 to Woodrow Raymond and Leola Maxine (Grigg) Koetter in McCook. Joan graduated from McCook High School in 1954.
Joan married Don Schamel on February 20, 1955 in Memorial United Methodist Church in McCook.
Joan and her husband Don owned and operated Schamel’s Auto Supply for over 20 years in McCook.
Her family was her greatest joy, and she loved being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, watching their activities, babysitting and playing games with them.
Joan was an avid military supporter and worked diligently in her last years to support soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and with providing a Christmas celebration for soldiers deployed to Guantanamo Bay. Joan also was honored to support the Wounded Warrior Project.
Survivors include her husband, Don of 59 years, daughters, Susan (Garry) Malmberg of Omaha, Debra (Rich) Cappel of McCook; son, Don Schamel, Jr. of Indianola and special friend Jackie; grandchildren, Rich (Maggie) Cappel of Fremont, Sean Cappel of Lincoln, Sara Cappel of Kearney, Melissa Malmberg and Mike Malmberg both of Omaha; great granddaughters Emma and Everly Cappel of Fremont; sister, Janice (Norm) O’Grady of McCook; Brothers, Raymond “Butch” (Sondra) Koetter of Hemet, CA, Martin (Diane) Koetter of Downs, KS, Kenard (Lisa) Koetter of Ellinwood, KS; many nieces, nephews and special friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Woodrow “Raymond” Koetter; mother, Leola Grigg Koetter; loving step-mother, Emma Koetter; and brother, Randy Koetter.
Visitation will be held Friday, June 6, 2014 at Carpenter-Breland Funeral Home in McCook from 1 to 8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home with Jerry Beckenhauer officiating with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the McCook Humane Society, 100 South Street, McCook, NE 69001.