West Bend, Wi – Mary Jean Fiegel (Jeanie), was born on March 22, 1954 in Waupun, WI to the late Norbert and Dorothy (Wappler) Fiegel. She passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026. She was a resident of West Bend at the time of her passing. Mary was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Fairwater, WI.
Mary attended Prairie View Elementary School in the Township of Green Lake. She graduated from Markesan High School in 1972. After High School she moved to West Bend and started a job at Cedar Community as an Occupational Therapy Aide.
While she changed positions at Cedar Community, she was always involved in the Therapeutic/Activity Department.
Mary loved working for Cedar Community and thought she would retire from there but after 35 years of employment there she switched jobs and became director of the activity department at a small Assisted Living Facility.
After 8 years there Mary went on to her current job as coordinator of the Germantown Senior Center. She loved this job just like Cedar Community.
“Two of the best places on Earth!” During the time that Mary worked for Cedar Community she went back to College at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992.
Amazingly she worked full time, part time and took 15 credits per semester, but she finally had her degree. She met many wonderful long lasting friendships at Cedar Community and at the University.
Mary also worked for the West Bend Recreation Department from 1973 to the present time. She started as a Volunteer for the Therapeutic Recreation Dance Class and for Special Olympics.
After a year she became an employee of the Recreation Department. She coached many sports for Special Olympics and in 1989 she took on the job of being Agency Manager of West Bend Special Olympics. She loved her athletes and the Special Olympics Organization.
In 2002 she was awarded the Roger Kasper Award from the State office for her dedication to Special Olympics. In 1995 she was a World Games Softball coach at Yale. In 1999 she was the Head Coach of Softball for the World Games.
She was also a coach for gymnastics at 3 National Games, they were held in Iowa, Nebraska, and New Jersey. There were so many enduring and special friendships because of her involvement in Special Olympics.
Mary always thought of this as her life destiny. She loved working with Seniors and Special Needs Persons. As she used to say, “I am very blessed to have jobs that I absolutely love.”
I knew in eighth grade I wanted to work with Seniors or Special Ed, never did I think I would get to do both! When funding ended for a job at West Bend Recreation, she continued to volunteer her time so that the program would not end.
Mary was involved from day one of JAM FOR KIDS. This was a music festival that raised funds for Special Olympics. It was a major fund raiser for 40 years. This gave everyone the ability to participate because the fundraiser provided the program free to the participants. Many “musical” friendships made because of this event.
In her spare time, Mary liked to spend time with her nieces, nephew, great nieces and great nephews. Always the fun Aunt with somewhere to go and something to do. She was also known as the aunt who spoiled the kids. Mary liked to play the piano, read, sing, and theatre.
She was involved in Spotlight Productions Theater Company for many years both on and off the stage. She also loved listening to folk, 60’s and Irish music. Although she was 100% German her heart was Irish.
She loved to travel and had visited 63 countries and 42 states. She enjoyed meeting new people, seeing new places, and learning history. Mary had several articles published in magazines related to Seniors, Special Olympics and Dying.
She spoke at many conferences throughout the United States about activities for Seniors and did lectures on the top of Death with Dignity. She served on many committees throughout her lifetime. One of the committees that was very important to her was a crisis intervention program for deaf persons. She was certified in Sign Language.
She is survived by her brother, James (Charlotte), nieces, Jennifer (Scott Newlon) Fiegel-Newlon, Sara (Hector Cruz) Fiegel Cruz, and nephew, Brian Fiegel. She is furthered survived by great nieces and nephews, Daniel Galindo, Enrique and Ariana Cruz, Morgan and Ian Newlon, also many special friends, family, and the Special Olympics Family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Norbert and Dorothy Fiegel, a sibling who passed at birth, her fiancée, Michael Kaul, fiancée, Brendan Galvin, and special friend, Bob Cross. A great nephew, Sebastian Cruz and her beloved niece, Brenda Jean Fiegel.
A mingle in honor of Mary will take place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m., at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service (1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend, WI).
Following the mingle, a service will take place at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service at 1 p.m. with Pam Werth officiating the service.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials are appreciated to West Bend Special Olympics, 1115 South Main Street, West Bend, WI 53095.
Below is a tribute article published when Mary passed.
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.
