Joel N. “Big Bucks” Gehm, age 60 of Shawano, passed away far too soon on Thursday afternoon, August 28, 2025, following a courageous three-year battle with ALS. He was surrounded by his loving family. Joel was born in Shawano on April 5, 1965, a son of William and Sylvia (Dallmann) Gehm. He attended school in Shawano, graduating with the Class of 1983. Following high school, Joel was employed at Culligan of Shawano for several years. In 1990, he went to work for the City of Shawano Department of Public Works, retiring in 2024 after 34 years of service. Joel also served as a volunteer fire fighter with the Shawano Area Fire Department for over 37 years, having been a captain for 18 years. In his younger years Joel played pond hockey and softball. He was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time at his land, hunting deer, and checking his trail cameras. He loved his
family and his dog, Cooper, and cheering for the Brewers and the Packers. Joel was willing to help others with anything they needed. Most nights Joel was out in the driveway manning his grill, cocktail in hand, listening to music from the 80’s. You would never find a more kind or gentle soul than Joel.
Joel is survived by his soulmate, Kelly Martzke, and her children, Sydney (Dalton) Parson, and Kobe Schreiber; his sister-in-law, Kathy Gehm; his special nephew, Shawn (Caryn) Gehm and their children, Andrew and Nathan; and his special niece, Mandy (Marty) Froelich and their children, Alivia, Tony, and Josie. He is further survived by his extended family, Mary Martzke; Kay (Bob) Bloomer, and their children, Wesley (Sarah) Bloomer, and Brandon (Kaitlin) Bloomer; and Kim (Darrel) Bjorge, and their children, Claire Bjorge, and Cameron Bjorge. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Nick Gehm.
A Funeral Mass for Joel will be celebrated on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 11:30 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano. Fr. Hanz Christian will be the Celebrant. Visitation will begin on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Mickelson Funeral Service in Shawano. Visitation will continue on Thursday at the church from 10:00 am until 11:30 am.
In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requests memorials in Joel’s name to the Shawano Area Fire Department for new equipment.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
Thank you, Joel, for treating us like we were your own, being there for every sporting event and life event, even if it interrupted your hunting time, and as you would say, “teaching us the facts of life.” Love, Sydney and Kobe
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