January 30, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – One of the mighty leaders of West Bend Special Olympics has died. Mary Fiegel dedicated over 50 years to coaching Special Olympics.
Nicole Mueller wrote, “I wanted to let you know our fearless leader Mary Fiegel passed away last night. Mary was with Special Olympics for over 50 years, coached 15+ sports and even coached at the World Games.”
“Last fall while she battled cancer, she even took our softball team The West Bend Sluggers to state and got 2nd place.
Mary coached everything from softball to track and field, bocce ball and soccer.
Mary was also instrumental in Jam for Kids, Inc. The event started May 3, 1974, after Mike Engeleiter, Bob Cross, Bob Mueller and Vern Klemme approached Pat Czerniak and Mary Fiegel about having a music fest fund raiser for cognitively disabled athletes.
The name “Jam For Kids” was created as most of the athletes were children who participated in team sports through the West Bend Recreation Department.
The first Jam For Kids was held in 1975 at Mike’s Village Inn on the corner of North Main Street and Park Avenue.
From 1976-1994, the music fest was held at several locations including the Holiday Inn (currently Pick n’ Save north), Bob’s Starlite Inn, and Our Place Tavern.
Jam For Kids moved to Regner Park in West Bend in 1995 and in 2012 it relocated to Jug’s Hitching Post in Kohlsville.
For 40 years the event was a Memorial Day tradition in Washington County. Organizers eventually changed the name to Jam For Kids Music Fest and in May 2016 it was announced the event was going to take a break. The event never returned.
Mueller added a note, that “the same day Mary passed her family received a call from Special Olympics informing them that she was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Services for Mary Fiegel will be Sunday, February 8. 2026, with visitation and a light lunch followed by a service at 1 p.m.
The Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home is serving the family. A full obituary will be published shortly.
