Joan Brengel

1926 - 2018

Brengel, Joan (nee Files) Passed away peacefully on Dec. 31, 2018. Joan was born in Yonkers, New York on September 3, 1926. She met the love of her life, Frederick L. Brengel, in Manhattan where they both worked in 1947. They embarked on a long and loving marriage of 52 years and started their family on Long Island before Fred's career with Johnson Controls took them to Boston, Chicago and finally Milwaukee in 1962. They loved Milwaukee, put down roots and became involved in many philanthropic causes. Joan's charitable priorities were families, art, education, and nature. A lifelong learner herself (she texted, even using emojis!), her passions included her family, creating beautiful pastel artworks, golf (playing into her 90's), travel, bridge, and her many treasured friends. Joan is survived by her three loving children, Douglas (Lynn) Brengel, Edie (Dave) Radtke, and Ken (Amy) Brengel. Further survived by seven grandchildren, Kellogg, Christopher, Henry, Taylor, Peter and Walker Brengel and Amelia Radtke, as well as nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Henry C. Brengel. A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at North Shore Congregational Church, 7330 North Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point, WI 53217. Family and friends will gather at a reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Next Door Foundation, 2545 N. 29th St., Milwaukee, WI 53210, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD), 273 E. Erie St., Milwaukee, WI 53202, or North Shore Congregational Church.