Jean Ann Kabele

PORTAGE – Jean Ann Kabele, age 76, of Portage, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg with her loving family by her side.

Jean was born on August 11, 1949, in Portage, Wisconsin, the daughter of John and Esther (Ekberg) Owen.  She graduated from Portage High School, class of 1967. She married Kenneth Kabele on February 14, 1996. Jean worked for many years at CESA 5 as an administrative assistant, retiring in 2015. 

After retiring, Jean and Ken enjoyed traveling. They would spend winters in Tucson, Arizona in her “dream” house. Jean enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, gardening, spending time outdoors and being in nature, Jean especially enjoyed her hummingbirds. She had a peach tree which was her pride and joy. She was an avid reader, sometimes reading several books in one week. She was a caring, loving spouse, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother as well as wonderful friend to so many.

She is survived by her loving husband, Ken Kabele; daughters, Heather (Tom Verburgt) Meyer, April Meyer, Kelly McGinley; sons; Ryan (Caitlin) Kabele, Michael (Jill) Foley; brother, David Owen; sister, Helen (Roland) Paske; grandchildren; Mitchell Wolfgram, Jada Meyer, Beckham Kabele, Sarah Foley; and great grand-daughter Paisley Wolfgram; sisters and brother in-laws, Donna Kutz, Shirley Mittlesteadt, Ed (Ellen) Kabele, James (Mary) Kabele, Jane Kabele; and other relatives and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband Stephen Meyer; sisters, Margaret Hill, Mary Dawson, and Martha Owen-Abney; in-laws, Betty (Robert) Kabele, Gordon Kabele, Monard Mittlesteadt, Ivan Kutz.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jean’s memory to the Columbia County Humane Society in Portage.

The family would like to thank Agrace Hospice for their love, support, and care.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.