Roxann Dawn "Roxie" Ruechel

Roxann unexpectedly passed away in the early hours of April 13, 2024. She was 63.
Roxann, or Roxie, as she was known by many, was full of life, big, bold feelings, and love. She was a loving and fierce mother, a dedicated and devoted wife, a dutiful and caring daughter, and a friend to so, so many. She will be missed tremendously by those who knew her.
The only daughter of Doris and Daniel Farnam, Roxann was born on October 14, 1960, in La Crosse, WI. Preceded in death by her father before she could know him, Roxann was raised by Doris and her adoptive father Ken Willgrubs.
She was well known at Sparta High, and participated in many school activities, among them cheerleading and show choir. There also may or may not have occasionally been some parties thrown by her brothers Steve, Jerry, and Rick while Doris and Ken were away on American Legion business which she may or may not have attended.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, Roxie continued to grow her circle of friends. There she was a member of Sigma Pi "Little Sisters", and a well-known bartender at The Vous. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, she began work at a local environmental engineering firm & laboratory in La Crosse, WI. It's there she'd meet her future husband, Greg.
Sharing a house in Galesville, WI, with Greg and their beloved dog Zak, the three of them spent many adventures piling into Greg's jeep and heading Up North to get lost in the woods. Eventually, they relocated to Sheboygan Falls, WI, and in 1991, they married at Greg's family church in Green Bay, WI. According to those in attendance "it was one helluva party". Shortly thereafter, they settled in Elkhart Lake, WI.
The following year, 1992, their son Adam was born. In 1994, their daughter Kira was born.
To put it simply, Roxie was an incredible mother. She loved and supported her children in many ways. Whether it was field trips and being a room mom in elementary school, late-night homework help, little league and softball games in middle school, or every football or volleyball game, wrestling or track meet, dance, band concert, or solo and ensemble performance through Adam and Kira's high school years, Roxie was there - every time, clapping, cheering, or commiserating from the stands.
When Adam and Kira joined the Wisconsin Marching Band during their times at UW-Madison, it's possible there wasn't a bigger fan of the band than Roxie. Many band members camped out in the Ruechel backyard during Fireman's Picnic weekend, enjoying Roxie's bartending skills, her brandy Old Fashioneds, and her borderline excessive amounts of home cooking. Her support for Badger sports was legendary, and she was looking forward to her 12th consecutive season as a Badger Football season ticket holder.
Many knew Roxie as the voice of Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah High School. The secretary at the high school office for 22 years, she served the community of students, parents, teachers, and staff at ELGHS until her retirement in 2022. During her time there she was an on-and-off again cheerleading and dance coach for several years, as well as a stand-in mom for approximately 150 teenagers every day.
Roxie was an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in New Holstein, WI. She served on the church council, planned Lenten soup suppers, spaghetti dinner fundraisers, vacation bible school, and the annual dinner theater. Above all these, though, was her love for the church choir. For years Roxie was a steadfast and committed alto in the choir, singing for every Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, or simply just because.
Roxie and Greg were looking forward to planning many trips together locally and around the world, seeing the upcoming season of shows at The Overture Center with Kira, traveling through the American southwest to see Adam, Courtney, and Isaac, and enjoying their well-earned retirements.
She is survived by her husband Greg, her son Adam Ruechel (Courtney Miller) and her daughter Kira Ruechel, her mother, Doris Willgrubs, her brothers Steve (Patti) Farnam, Jerry (Lindy) Farnam, and Rick Willgrubs, her nieces and nephews, Jenny (Adam) Bickel (Sydney, Henry, Bodie), Josh (Alyssa) Farnam (Reese & Peyton), Ashley Willgrubs, Matthew Willgrubs, and Chelsea (Harley and Aubrey) Roper, and her first grandson, Isaac.
Roxann is preceded in death by her fathers Daniel Farnam and Ken Willgrubs, and her maternal and paternal grandparents.
Greg, Kira, and Adam would like to thank the Elkhart Lake Police Department, Elkhart Lake First Responders, Glenbeulah First Responders, Orange Cross Ambulance, and the emergency department staff at Aurora Medical Center Sheboygan County for their care and compassion.
Funeral arrangements are being managed by Sippel Funeral Home of New Holstein. The family will greet family and Roxie's many friends at a visitation held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Friday April 19th from 4:00-7:00pm and Saturday April 20th from 11:00am-12:00pm. A service will then be held at 12:00pm at Gloria Dei, with a lunch at the church immediately to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Education Foundation.
"Save your fork for the best is yet to come."
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
N1230 7 Corners Rd,
New Holstein, WI 53061