Jolene Schuster, age 88 of Wisconsin Dells, WI, passed away on Thursday November 13, 2025 in her home. 

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday September 12, 2026 at the Davis Corners United Methodist Church of Wisconsin Dells from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with Words of Remembrance at 2:00 p.m.

Jolene Stout was born December 25, 1936 in Madison, Wisconsin to Herman and Velma (Winter) Stout. She knew that a Christmas day birthday was a bit of a blessing and a curse but she bore it well. She also learned to use it to her advantage when telling her kids that she expected them to be home "for her birthday" which was clever and just fine. Jo's younger years were spent in Fenimore, Wisconsin. She recalled Fenimore as a friendly town where she used to run errands with her dog, Ranger, who waited outside while she ran into a store or post office. At 16 she met Bob Schuster which started a courtship that led to their marriage in 1956. They began their married life in Bar Harbor, Maine where they had their first child and lived modestly while Bob worked at Jackson Labs. Jolene's memories of those early years were filled with wonder that they enjoyed so much beauty and endured so much hardship. They later moved to Columbus, Ohio, then Waukesha, Wisconsin and then Greenbush, Wisconsin, each step bringing a little more prosperity to the family as well as another child. Their final move as a young family was to Parnell, WI in an older farmstead on 60 acres where there were fruit trees, gigantic gardens and room for the four kids to grow. When the kids were on their own and Bob retired, they sold the property and bought some land near Wisconsin Dells where they built their last home and settled into a blissful routine that was often delightfully interrupted by visits from kids, neighbors, friends and relatives.

The number of lives that Jolene touched is immeasurable. Her high school friends were lifelong friends. Each location that Jo and Bob lived earned them more friends for life and stories and laughter. Jo drove a school bus on the kindergarten and elementary school routes for many of the years they lived in Parnell and she taught the kids songs and played word games while driving. Many of those kids would share memories about those days even years after they were out of school.

Jolene's interests were varied and abundant. She hunted and fished, was a great bowler (trophies and all!), played the piano and LOVED to dance. She was active in the local baseball/softball club, the snowmobile club and the church. As the domestic foreman at home she never took a day off. Between the bus routes she was cleaning, canning, making bread, baking and whipping up meals for a husband and four kids. Somehow she also found time to keep up three beautiful flower beds in the front yard.

The final subject that must be remembered about Jolene is her intense devotion to her family. It is often said that "Mom is the glue that holds the family together" and Jolene was definitely that Mom. She was always interested and supportive of her kids' hopes and dreams. She organized family reunions and was truly the spindle on which our family carousel revolved. Her optimism and infectious smile radiated from her to everyone and taught us all to persevere and find the joys in life. Jo didn't just dance because there was music – she danced because she was Jo.

She is survived by her children, David (Kathy) Schuster of Hubertus, WI, Bonnie (Karen Dorn) Schuster of Land O' Lakes, FL, Vicki (Mike) Szabo of Oak Lawn, IL, Kim Schuster of Plymouth, WI and grandchild Tyler (Louise) Schuster of Oak Park, IL.

She is preceded by her parents, husband Robert, sister Karen Morrow and brother Bill Stout.