Joan “JoAnn” Remakel, 87, of Dubuque, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at home, surrounded by her family.

A prayer service will be held at 1:30 pm on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory followed by visitation until 5:00 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Joan will be at 10:30 am on Monday, January 12, 2026, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque at a later date.

Joan was born December 5, 1938, in Darlington, WI, the daughter of James and Margaret (Smith) Kendall. She married Robert “Bob” Remakel on August 24, 1957, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on April 22, 2015.

Joan was a dedicated mom and volunteered many years at St. Anthony Catholic Church Rectory maintaining church records. All who knew Joan understood the significance of dates to her. She had a passion for researching genealogy for the Kendall and Remakel families dating back 150+ years. She spent numerous days researching data at libraries or hiking through woods and farmland to read headstones of small cemeteries to register data with Counties ensuring cemeteries were registered, maintained and preserved. She established books for family members containing genealogy history, photos, newspaper clippings, and much more. Family members are in awe and blessed to have a preserved time capsule. Joan had a passion for painting ceramics, creating both beautiful friendships and works of art that will continue to be cherished.

Family was everything to Joan, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Joan is survived by four children, Michael (Beth) Remakel of Dubuque, Tina (Jim) Allen of Bellevue, Tammy (Stan) Remakel-Ryan of Dubuque, and Teresa (Mark Heiderscheit) Biroschik of Dubuque; nine grandchildren Sarah (Dan) Henkels, Chad (Bethany) Remakel, Robyn (James) Illingworth, Brent Hutchcroft, Brady Hutchcroft, Joshua Ryan, Emily Ryan, Caleb (Megan) Biroschik, Alexandria “Ally” (Evan) Young; eleven great grandchildren, Kylie (Spencer) Sahm, Camden (Michael Husemann) and Blake Henkels, Charlee, Dylan and Logan Remakel, Lily and Oakley Biroschik, Jameson Illingworth, Parker Hutchcroft; Harvey Jess; and one expected; one expected great-great-grandchild; sister Phyllis (Bill) Jaeggi; brother-in-law Thomas (Rosemary) Remakel; and two sisters-in-law Phyllis Remakel and Suzanne (Lance) Hurst.

She was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; infant son, Roger Remakel; her in-laws, Michael and Adella (Zimmer) Remakel; sisters, Marie (Wayne) Oliver and Bernice Knoll; a brother, James (Margaret) Kendall; in-laws, Vincent Remakel, Mary Ann (Wayne) Miller, and Patricia Lawler; her nephew and godson, Kevin Lawler; and her niece, Karen Pins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Assisi Village, Stonehill Communities, or Hospice of Dubuque.

The family would like to thank the staff of Assisi Village, Dr. Bland and his staff, and Hospice of Dubuque for their loving care.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Joan’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.