Joel Kent Wachtel

Joel Kent Wachtel, age 67, of Mankato passed away peacefully at home on December 19, 2023, with his family by his side after a long battle with esophageal and brain cancer.

Memorial service will be at 2 p.m., on Friday, December 22, 2023, at Mankato Mortuary with visitation from 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Joel was born January 22, 1956, to Geraldine and Edward Wachtel of Mankato, MN. He attended high school in Mapleton, MN and after school entered the United States Navy. He served on the USS Little Rock from 1972-1974. On January 9, 1982, Joel married Marlyce Shouts and they were married happily for 42 years. They loved to go on cruises and vacations together. Though they visited many tropical countries, Hawaii was Joel's favorite place. Joel worked for many years as a professional commercial painter and retired in 2021 due to his illness. 

Joel's kids and grandkids were very important to him, and he valued any time he was able to spend with them. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marlyce Wachtel; daughters, Jenny (Eric) Scholl, Amanda (Eric) Miller, Joy Wels, Dayna Beeck, and Gwen Shouts; son, Dan (Dawn) Jensen; 15 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; siblings Darryl, Mike (Wendy), Jim, Jon (Cindee), Eddie (Tammy), Pete (Michelle), Marty, and Diane; half-siblings Herb and Tina; and other extended family in New Ulm.

Joel was preceded in death by his mother, Geraldine; father, Edward; stepfather, Charles Evers, and grandsons, Jacob and Dakota. 

The family would like to thank Moments Hospice for their wonderful care in Joel’s final days.