Johneen J. (Nares) Grassl

Johneen Judy Grassl, (Nares), passed away on her 82nd birthday on December 10, 2021.  The world has lost a superlative mother, grandmother, sister, and sister-in-law, aunt and friend. A more thoughtful person was not to be found.

She was born in Milwaukee, WI, December 10, 1939.  She was the youngest daughter born to John and Nina, (Snodie), Nares, both preceeded her in death.  She was raised by her Aunt “Lou” – Alice Lucile Harvey, (Snodie) when her mother passed away.

Johneen was a graduate of West Division High School in Milwaukee where she met Don Grassl while playing in the band.  She married her love of her life, Donald Grassl, Sr., on September 3, 1960 at Gesu Catholic Church in Milwaukee.  They spent almost 60 years together until Don passed away July 31, 2019.

She loved living in Wausau due to the laid-back ways of living in the area.  She was thrilled to work at Grant School for most of her 24 years as a teaching assistant.  She loved children. Johneen and Don traveled around the United States mostly by car.  They had many cherished and lively friends they met through work and play.  A light truly has gone out with her passing.

Johneen is survived by her children: Susan Appleton, (Robert), Donald Peter Grassl, jr. and Andrew Grassl. Grandchildren include James, Patrick, Robert (Dianne), and Thomas Appleton; Peter and Angela Grassl. She is further survived by her sister Patricia and her husband, Glenn Kuhn; half sister, Kathy (Nares) Schmeckpeper and husband Carl; sister-in-law Judith Viljevac (Grassl); brothers-in-law Thomas (Kathy) and Kenneth (Sara) Grassl and Jerome Czubinski.   Aside from her parents and spouse, she was predeceased by her father and mother-in-law: Grant and Eunice (Wachtl), Grassl; Janet Czubinski, Joseph Viljevac, Sr; her sisters and brothers-in-law: Anita and William Heuer, Natalie and Peter LaBarbera, Rita and Kenneth Stegall. She survived by many nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Johneen's Life will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2022 from 11:30 - 3:30, at Bunkers @ Tribute Golf Course, 1001 Golf Club Rd., Wausau, WI  54403.    In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to St. Jude’s Fund for Childhood Cancer.  Johneen hated to see children suffer.  Thanks are given to the Aspirus Hospital, Aspirus Cancer Center, and Peterson-Kraemer Funeral Home.