Jean R. Regal, age 78, of Suring, passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Jean was born Jan. 12, 1944, to the late Alvin and Ruby (Oestrich) Schmelling. On the night of her birth, Dr. Dougherty rode out to the family farm with his horse and buggy and stayed overnight. For grade school, Jean attended the two-room schoolhouse in Frostville. At 16, Jean fell in love with Arthur Regal, and they married Oct. 8, 1960. The couple began their family in the Fox Valley area. They purchased the Schmelling family farm on County Z in January 1969 and lived there until 1986. While living on the farm, Jean enjoyed caring for the animals, sold Avon and Home Interiors and volunteered as a Cub Scout and 4-H leader. After leaving the farm, Jean and Art opened the Bayport Shell Station in Howard in 1988. They achieved top retailer for Shell in Wisconsin and the U.P. for the last six years of business. They sold the station in the late 1990s and retired to the Suring area. The couple went on to open the Dollar Value Store which closed March 2021.
Jean loved animals and people. Her family was very important to her, and she loved all the time she had with them. Jean and Art always took the time to go to their children and grandchildren’s sporting events, no matter how far they had to travel. She always saw the good in people. Jean had a strong faith in God that helped her throughout her life.
Jean is survived by her husband of 61 years, Art; six children, Linda Regal, Laura Phillips, Gary (Amy) Regal, Kathy (Martin) Runge, Greg Regal and Brian (Amy) Regal; daughter-in-law, Debbie Regal; 11 grandchildren, Nathan (Megan) Regal, Aaron (Katie) Regal, Joshua (special friend, Sarah) Regal, Luke (Madison) Runge, Mark (Jess) Runge, Linzy Runge, Brent Regal, Bennett Regal, Isaac Regal, Emma Regal and Caleb Regal; seven great-grandchildren, Gracie, Jackson, Aria, Griffin, Wesson, Kahrter and Barrett; siblings, Myrna Hermetz and Donald (special friend, Donna) Schmelling; sisters-in-law, Lucille Socha and Redeena Regal; brother-in-law, Thomas Meath. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; stillborn brother; sisters-in-law, Gladys Meath and Darlene Richter; brothers-in-law, Rev. Harold Hermetz and Robert Socha.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Maple Valley Community Church from 3 p.m. until the funeral service at 5:30 p.m., with Pastor Andrew Jantz officiating. Jean will be interred at a future date. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.
Jean R. Regal
