Waltraud Jackel

Waltraud "Val" Jackel, age 77, passed away on March 20, 2016, was born in Bremerhaven, Germany on January 5, 1939 at the beginning of the war. She met and married her husband, Hans, and immigrated with him in 1963 with their then 6-month-old son, Bernd Jackel, now of Sherman, CT, in tow. Hans was a real German craftsman and together they opened a custom kitchen cabinet shop, Brewster Custom Woodworking in Putnam Lake, NY. They gave birth to a daughter, Susanne (Jackel Banks) Istvan, now living in Harwinton, CT with fiancé Eric Trent, and another son, William "Billy" Jackel who was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 1989 at the age of 19. Val then became very active with the Compassionate Friends, lending support to other parents who lost children.

After deciding to close the business in the 1980's Hans joined the Carpenter's Union and Waltraud went to work at Sealed Air in Danbury until retirement. Hans and "Val" hit the highway during retirement purchasing a Rialta camper for two, towing a smart car and traveling from coast to coast during the winter months. They so loved camping. They often stayed in Florida throughout the the winter but were always anxious to come back because they missed their family too much, especially their 5 grandchildren Amanda Jackel and fiancé Chris Tate of Richmond VA, Chris Jackel of New Milford, CT, Brad Banks and fiancé Eileen Zerrenner of New Fairfield, CT, Jessica Rywolt and husband Lee Rywolt also of New Fairfield, CT and Joseph Istvan, III of Harwinton, CT, and 5 great grandbabies, Lauren Jackel, Chloe and Luke Banks, and Carter and Macie Rywolt. She was such a proud grandmother and great grandmother. Hans's greatest wish was to hear his 5-year-old great granddaughter Macie speak before he died, unfortunately he predeceased Val just short of a year. Val has had health concerns for several years and often would wonder why she was still here after the death of her husband. She felt there had to be a reason. That question was answered just before her passing. Macie had surgery while "Oma" was in the hospital. Just before becoming unresponsive, she heard and saw Macie say "Oma I Love you!" very clearly on FaceTime. Val's concern was always that her family be healthy and safe and she worried right up to the end. But knowing that the surgery was a success, they were home safe and her granddaughter Jessica was back by her side she was able to join her husband and son and share the happy news! Other than her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, Val is also survived by a sister Karin Kaune and her husband Werner of Germany and their sons Norbert and Stefan and a sister and brother-in-law, Monica and Justus Wulfes and their sons, Thomas, Ralph and Marco, all also of Germany. She was predeceased by her sister Ursula Yager and her husband Peter of North Salem, NY and is also survived by their children, Karin and Dominic Corrao, Pamela Yager, Heidi DeMorris, and Peter and Joanne Yager and of course many great nieces and nephews.

Val loved her family, nature, camping and being near the ocean with her husband and she especially loved gardening and flowers.

Calling Hours will be at Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury, CT on Thursday from 3:00pm to 6:00pm with Services at Green Funeral Home, immediately following at 6:00pm. Interment will be at a later date.