"With compassion and respect, I remember Joleen. I came to meet Joleen in the optical business many years ago. Our paths crossed often at educational seminars and conventions. One couldn't help but become excited and focused because of Joleen's presence. She had a strong commitment and conviction to a postive life. That was evident with the bounce in her walk and the smile on her face. May we be strong with the knowledge that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, shall seperate us from ever-loving thoughts of Joleen. With Christ's love and comfort, Kathryn Gross-Edelman, Director of Education Pech Optical Corp. "
In loving memory of
Joleen Pontow Styskal
November 30, -0001
Joleen Gaye Styskal, one of three children of Albert Elden "Elk" and Josephine Madge (Haden) Pontow, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on November 3, 1954. The Pontow family lived in Malvern, Iowa. Joleen was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church near Hastings, Iowa where she participated in Sunday School and youth group activities. Joleen graduated from the Malvern Community High School in 1972. She attended Kennedy College at Wahoo, Nebraska and in 1975 earned degrees in physical education and science. She accepted a position as a teacher's aid at District 20, a two-room country school near Ashland, Nebraska.
Joleen and Gene Styskal were married on January 29, 1977 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Wahoo, NE. They made their home at Ceresco, NE and Joleen became a faithful member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at Wahoo. Later Joleen took classes and became a certified optician. She was past-president of the Nebraska State Optician Society and tirelessly promoted the registration of all opticians. Joleen accepted an optical sales position serving Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming. In March of 2003, Joleen moved to Casper, Wyoming. She accepted a software specialist position with Tuppas Software where she trained clients to use various Tuppas programs. Some of Joleen's enjoyments included shopping, working with computers, jazz, crossword puzzles, and being a sports fan. Joleen loved time spent with her nieces and nephews and lived life to the fullest.
Joleen tragically died in a car accident near Douglas, Wyoming on April 4, 2003 while traveling to Des Moines, Iowa to participate in the Iowa Optometrist Convention. Joleen had attained the age of 48 years, 5 months, and 1 day.
Joleen was preceded in death by her parents Elk and Jo Pontow. She is survived by her brother Albert Pontow and his wife Casey of Hastings, Iowa; twin sister Coleen Jensen and her husband Steve of Wahoo, NE; former husband Gene Styskal; special friend Gary Vassos; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Tributes
"Albert & Coleen--I talked with my mom & Jill yesterday each for about an hour--I'm still having a hard time believing this tragedy happened to Joleen. Reading the obituary helped make this seem more real and it definitely brought back another flood of memories--like our confirmation sessions with Pastor Becker--oh my!! How Dennis & Darwin would always be in trouble & even we would get in trouble sometimes!! And of course, our days @ JFK--what a crazy but special time that was!! It sounds like the service was very nice & quite large--a wonderful tribute to Joleen. Also, it's great that so many classmates of '72 were there as well as Maynes & Gee, Cleta & Rayburn. They're definitely more than just coaches & teachers, aren't they? Mom commented how much she liked the music & how appropriate the words of the songs were. She's sending me the memorial card so I'll have that. Again, my deepest sympathies to each of you; I know time will help ease the pain but never completely erase it. Hopefully the many special & wonderful memories of Joleen will replace the grief. Love, Kathy"
"Joleen lived life to the fullest-we are all better people for knowing her.She will be missed at the class reunions.Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. She will always be in our hearts."
"Joleen was a very special person to many people. I've known Joleen for fifteen years. She was always up-beat and could put a smile on your face the minute she said "hi". My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to her family. Rich Braun, Luxottica. "
"Our deepest and most sincere sympathy goes to the family of Jolene. She was on her way to our convention to speak at a class that she so graciously agreed to do for us. Jolene was always so eager to teach and share her abundance of knowledge of the optometric field to others. We have learned many things from her. Her great personality and contagious smile will be missed by all. We have lost a wonderful friend. "
"Our sincere condolences to Joleen's family. Joleen helped bring us through some very trying days. She always had a smile for everyone and her infectious laugh filled the office. Her knowledge was endless as was her energy and patience when training new staff members. We will miss her greatly."
" Joleen was one of God's greatest gifts that was taken from us too soon. She had the ability to put smiles on faces by entering a room. She will be forever missed, but not forgotten. Poochie Knutson / Walman Optical"
"Jolene was such a wonderful person, we will miss her so much. She helped our office to train new staff and did a wonderful job, and made optics easier to understand for new employees. She was always happy and had a smile to share with all. She will definitely be missed by all!"
"Jolene you will be missed. You added so much to the optical business with your never ending knowledge and resources.Your contagious laugh and a never ending smile. You brighten up many offices just by being there. We will always remember the great times we had. Prayer for you and your family may they help ease the pain of losing you. "
"Over the past few years Joleen developed a special relationship with everyone she touched in our organization. Her smile, her laugh, her sense of humor will not be forgotten. We will miss her presence and her expertise. Our prayers go to her family and to all of her friends who are so deeply saddened by the loss. Siouxland Labs / Kansas City Ophthalmics"
"Joleen & I started at Walman's in 1991. Joleen was in sales, I was a lab technician. I realized what a phenominal job Joleen did for Walman's throughout the many years she was with Walman. Joleen was outgoing, friendly and a go getter type attitude. She always had a smile on her face every time she was around people. I had the good fortune of knowing her as a good friend. Two weeks ago she was in to tell me about her new job and place to live. She was very excited about it. I was blessed to see her one last time. Joleen will be greatly missed, but always remembered. "
"Joleen was a true friend of mine. I will miss her greatly. She always was willing to help me when needed. Joleen is at peace now, my thoughts and prayers are with her."
"Joleen lit up the room when she entered. I will always remember her laugh and calming manner. I will truly miss her. My heart goes out to her family. You have my deepest sympathies."
"We are the Eyecare Centre loved Joleen's infectious smile and laughter. We always learned something valuable from her expertise in the optical field. We were saddened by the news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. "
"We at the Eyecare Centre loved Joleen's infectious smile and laughter. We always learned something valuable from her expertise in the optical field. We were saddened by the news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. "
" Joleen will be missed greatly by everyone at the Omaha branch. Joleen's willingness to always help in anyway she could will not be forgotten. We lost a best friend who has left us with many memories to cherrish. The Omaha staff extends our deepest sympathy to the family of Joleen. "
"I can truly say that it was and still is a pleasure knowing Joleen. There are no words to explain the shock that hit my heart when I was told of this awful tragedy. We've had a bond every since the first time we met and had great conversations that could last forever. I will always have much love in my heart for her on a business and personal level. She will be greatly missed and will forever be in my memory. May God continue to bless and watch over Joleen as well as her family. Here's to you Joleen, from Wen @ Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc."
"I am saddened to hear of the tragic accident that Joleen was in. I didn't keep in touch with her after she left Walman, but I have fond memories of her eagerness and up beat disposition. My prayers will be for her and her family in this sad time. Lorinda Fraboni/Walman Optical"
"From everyone at Rite Style Optical, our deepest sympathies. We have enjoyed our working relationship with Joleen and even more important, our friendship with her. She always made everyone around her feel important and special, and she will truely be missed by everyone who knew her."
"Joleen will be missed ,but be reminded the imprint she has left on the people she knew. She always had a smile on her face and a contagious laughter that you knew she was around. She was a very thoughtful person and we all enjoyed her visits. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."
"My deepest sympathy to Jolene's family at this difficut time. I've know Jolene for twenty plus years in the optical industy. She will be greatly missed by all because of her professionalism and happy-outgoing personality."
"I can't tell you how sorry I am about your lose. Joleen was a very intelligent and unselfish person who I am glad to have had the chance to know. Even though we were just aquaintences at best, I will miss knowing that as I continue on with my career in the optical business, I will never have the opportunity to see here smiling face at those chance run ins that always made my day. God bless."
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"My heart is heavy in the tragic loss of a dear friend! My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family."
"Joleen & I were roomates at our very first Walman national meeting. She was one of the most open and friendly people that I had met in a long time. In all my encounters with her over the years I always found her in an upbeat mood. Her spark was refreshing and this beautiful woman will be missed by all."
"I enjoyed the time I spent with Joleen at trade shows and meetings. She was always helpful, full of energy and she would light the room up with her wonderful smile. She will be remembered and missed by a lot of people. I pray we all remember the light she was to so many people and everyone close to her is comforted by the Holy Spirit."
"Joleen was a very special person and my dear friend, whose loving presence and joy will live in my memory. May your own happy memories be a scource of comfort to you now. With love and blessings. Bea Steeves ZEISS Optical"
"Joleen was a very special person to me. I always enjoyed being with her and working with her. Her loving and kind spirit always made our times together extra special. I will miss her greatly and will always have fond memories of our friendship. Our thoughts are with her friends and family. May you be comforted by the fact that Joleen's spirit lives on in the hearts of the many people she touched with her life. With love, Gary Shepson, Carl Zeiss Optical"
"My heart is heavy in the tragic loss of a dear friend! My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family."
"There are very few people who leave you with a feeling that you are a better person for having met them. Joleen was one of them, and I know I have been blessed. Please know you are in my prayers."
"04-07-2003 To the family of Jolene Styskal: Please accept our deepest sympathies. Jolene, her warm humor and laughter will be missed terribly. What a lovely person she was and it was a pleasure to know her and work with her, Kent Heyda Manager Lori Cervantes, Optician Rosemary Nolan, Optician Shae Wilson, Optician "
"It is very hard to put into words what one feels when a friend is no longer with us. I can hardly imagine what it must be like for parents and family. Joleen was truly a special person; here good sense of humor, her infectious laugh and her professionalism will be missed by the entire Zeiss Team, and by all people who's lifes she touched. Roland W. Sitzler, Carl Zeiss Optical"
"How to sum up what over ten years of friendship have meant to me. From playing golf, movies, drinks, Joleen teaching me about spectacle lenses, picking our frames for both of us., not to mention hair cuts and shopping. I shall cherish each any every memory as I know all of us will. My thoughts and well wishes go to all her family and friends. We had a special friend, sister, aunt and cousin, and we all knew it. "
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"I met Joleen for the first time this past October at the Zeiss National Sales Meeting. It was my good fortune to have had some lovely conversations with her. She made me feel welcome as part of the group and exemplified that wonderful midwest hospitality. It was very apparent that she came from a nuturing, caring, and loving family for these were the same qualities that she so graciously extended to others. "