Joan Fliegel

Madison - Joan Louise (Heller) Fliegel passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 88 on Monday, August 10, in her home at Oakwood Village. She was born on March 25, 1927, the first of four children to Harold and Camilla Hayden Heller in Appleton, Wisconsin. An excellent student and musician, she attended Lawrence University and then the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in English in 1949. She had five daughters from her first marriage to Tony Brewster: Sara Brewster (John MacAloon), Julia (Daniel Schmidt), Anne (Robert Boyd), Ellen Houston and Rebecca Smith. She married Dr. Martin Fliegel in 1975 and became mother to his eight children: Deborah (Peter Treige), Juliet (Bill Thomsen), Mary (Cory Crowell), Martin, Kristin (Tom Bauer), Jonathan (Tammy Greco), Kathryn (LEE Freeman) and Daniel (Jennifer).

Joan and Martin were busy and loving parents to their blended family of 13 children for 32 years of marriage. Joan was a member of the 1st violin section of the Madison Symphony Orchestra for 30 years, an active member of The Schubert Club, Chapter H PEO, Ravenous Readers' Book Club and a docent at the Chazen Museum of Art and the Geology Museum in Madison. She was a life-long learner who loved music, tennis, swimming, gardening, reading, bird watching and travel. She served as a Sunday school teacher and Deacon at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Madison, where she was a charter member. During her time at Oakwood, Joan enjoyed visiting with friends, attending the engaging programs and working in the library.

Joan is survived by her sister, Camilla Heller, of Minneapolis, her 12 surviving children, 22 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Martin Fliegel; grandson, Logan Smith; daughter, Mary; sister, Carla May Glattly and brother, Richard Heller. Joan was a model of strength, intelligence and kindness to all who knew her.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Joan's s life will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 326 S. Segoe Rd in Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Madison Symphony Orchestra or Covenant Presbyterian Church.