Joel Roger Johannes

Joel Roger Johannes, age 92, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, left this land of the dying to be with his Lord and Savior in the land of the living in the early morning hours of Monday, August 17, 2026.

He is survived by his sweetheart and wife of 62 years, Joan, his two children: Andrea Stewart (David) & Jay Johannes (Christine), as well as many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. Joel was also a devoted grandpa to Paul and Ellie.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Erwin & Laura, his two sisters and brothers-in-law, Miriam & John Haerle and Marjorie & John Foss.

Joel was born June 15, 1934 in Merrill, Wisconsin.

He spent first childhood years in Merrill, and then moved with his family to Hartland, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Hartland High School. He pursued and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1957 from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. During his youth and young adult years, he embraced his love of the outdoors, animals, and being with people through time spent hunting, fishing, and other outdoor adventures. Especially remarkable were the times with his uncles up north on Uncle Emery’s farm & “Black Forest” in Tomahawk, and special times with his dog, “Bomber.”

During his college years, Joel met his future bride Joan (Joni) in Milwaukee. During those dating years, he brought Joni along to live out many adventures, making many lifelong friends along the way through boating, water skiing, downhill skiing, & becoming members of “Downhillers Ski Club.” Also remarkable to note, the pine trees that grace the surroundings of “The House on the Rock” were planted by Joel & his small crew in the 1950s.

Joel & Joan were married on October 12, 1963 at Holy Assumption Church in West Allis, WI, and honeymooned with a ski trip in Aspen, Colorado.

Joel worked as a salesman for Standard Oil Co., then went into real estate, selling homes for Bielinski Builders. Seeing that this builder could not fulfill the “change orders” that customers wanted, he went off on his own and started “Johannes Builders Incorporated,” to build beautiful custom homes.

Joel & Joan made their home in the early years of marriage in areas of SE Wisconsin and then built their first home in Hartland, WI, where they settled & raised Andrea & Jay. They later built their dream home in beautiful Chenequa, WI, where they spent many more years.

Throughout Joel’s life, he continued to exercise his love of people and the outdoors. He joined the Milwaukee Liederkranz singing group, volunteered at German Fest for over 30 years, biked in most annual “Ride for the Arts” events, & implemented his love of trees with an 80 acre northern Wisconsin farm purchase, where he planted & maintained thousands of pine trees.

Retirement time came, and so came the build of another dream home in the beautiful Northwoods on Fence Lake, where they enjoyed many years, before coming back to Lake Country area to be near family. They spent many winters escaping the cold at their place in Arizona, making many friends there as well, particularly through Amado Baptist Church.

Joel was known by his love of people, strong character, and solid faith. He would talk to and make friends with anyone anywhere, striking up a conversation and then later recording the person’s name, contact info and where he met them in his notebook, with hopes to talk to or meet up with them again! He would make a point to hand out his “Jesus Card,” saying, “I work for the guy on the right.” Like every believer, he continued to battle sin and wrestle with the pains and sorrows of this world as well as his aging physical body, but he was living with a new perspective of hope, and a knowing that he trusted in the One who paid the penalty for sin. He knew that when his last earthly breath was taken, that he would have a new life where there is no longer suffering, despair or pain. What a life, what a hope!

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast - Ephesians 2: 8-9

A celebration of life & memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 1 at Pagenkopf Funeral Home (2228 N. Silver Maple Lane, Oconomowoc, WI 53066). Visitation will start at 3pm with a service at 5:00pm and meal with reception thereafter. A Facebook livestream of the service will be provided. Joel will be laid to rest at Merrill Memorial Park in Merrill, WI on Wednesday, September 2 at 1pm.