Deanna L. Jaeckel, age 65, of Cherry Valley, IL and formerly of Hayward, WI, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at Mercy Health Riverside Campus in Rockford, IL.

Deanna Lynne was born September 16, 1957, in Elgin, IL, the daughter of Michael and Mary Lou (Kenyon) Szula.

She was raised in Elgin and attended school there until moving to Winter, WI before her senior year of high school. Deanna graduated from Winter High School in 1975 and then attended technical school in Rice Lake, WI where she would receive an associate degree. Deanna moved to California for several years before moving to Hayward, WI in 1984. Deanna began working with the local Head Start Program and also worked as a waitress at the Hayward Co-op restaurant where she made many lifelong friendships. On June 18, 1988, Deanna married John Jaeckel at the Hayward Congregational Church. Shortly after they welcomed their daughter, Sara, beginning her most important and favorite role as a mom. Deanna then began work with Arrow Building Center where she would spend over twenty years as an inside sales associate. During her time at ABC, she acquired the nickname of “Bubbles” because of her bubbly personality. She then worked with Glassworks and later L&M Fleet Supply in Hayward. Deanna had the ability to make people feel incredibly special, even creating a reputation where people would wait in line to speak with her directly. Deanna retired in 2010 when her husband was diagnosed with ALS. Deanna became a tireless ALS Association advocate, volunteer, and organizer. Deanna and John created the Jaeckel Walk to beat ALS, an event that has become the largest fundraiser to fight ALS in Wisconsin. Deanna lived to help people and enjoyed connecting others in service. She fearlessly approached any challenge and would always find a creative way to solve a problem. Deanna loved her annual trips to Florida with friends and family.  Deanna and John were members of First Lutheran Church in Hayward. They moved to Rockford, IL in 2015 to be closer to Sara, Ryan, and their beloved grand puppy Sampson, of whom she had a very special bond with. She was an exceptional mother to not only Sara, but everyone she encountered. Deanna had a zest for life, she could make the most mundane things enjoyable–”joy” was one of her favorite words and she radiated it consistently. She will be greatly missed by all those that knew her, loved her, and were fortunate enough to have her in their lives.

Deanna is survived by her husband of 34 years, John; one daughter, Sara (Ryan) Ignace of Rockford, IL; mother, Mary Lou Myers of Rockford; three siblings, Debi Hornburg of Pewaukee, WI, Michael (Shren) Szula of DeKalb, IL, Mark Szula of Roscoe, IL; many nieces and nephews; and and grand puppy, Sampson.

She was preceded in death by her father, Michael Szula Sr.

A memorial service celebrating Deanna’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022, at First Lutheran Church in Hayward with Pastor Joel Bacon officiating. A time of gathering with family and friends will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, PO Box 346, Hayward, WI 54843 or the ALS Association, Wisconsin Chapter, 3332 N. Mayfair Road, Suite 104, Wauwatosa, WI 53222.

Last Update: Dec 21, 2022 8:48 am CST