JoEllen Steele (Puterka), age 61, of Hudson, WI. passed away at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Tuesday September 8, 2020, after a sudden brain aneurysm. JoEllen was born December 23, 1958 in St. Louis, Missouri to James and Doris (Demske) Puterka. She and her family moved to Hudson and attended school from second grade through high school. JoEllen was blessed with three daughters, whom she absolutely adored, Tanya Nelson, Stacy (Justin Rappe) Nelson, and Michelle (Billy Jewell) Steele. She was united in marriage to Mike Steele on October 30, 1993 at St. Patrick’s Church in Hudson.

JoEllen enjoyed to serve people as can be seen in the way she worked. She had many different types of jobs, but it always involved helping others in some way. She was a favorite cashier at Family Fresh, and most recently was found at North Hudson Kwik Trip. She always made time to hear your story, share hers, and add a few jokes in between. She always had people laughing and brought joy to others by flashing her big contagious smile and sparkling eyes. It was evident that Hudson was home, the town she adored, and the people she loved. If she could change one thing, it would be the cold winters. In her free time, JoEllen could be found in her slippers sipping coffee, spending time with her family and grandkids, planting and gardening her flowers, or finding new recipes to bake or cook.

JoEllen remains in the hearts of her husband Mike, children; from her first marriage to Scott Nelson, Tanya Nelson and Stacy (Justin) Nelson, and Michelle (Billy) Steele, grandchildren; Gavin, River, Vance, Elliot and one on the way, sisters Sandy(Randy) Morrissette, Jayme (John) Marino as well as nieces, nephews and other family. She is preceded in death by her parents; sister Judy (Connie) Souza.

A Mass of Christian Burial for JoEllen will be at 11am on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Visitation will be the night prior on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson from 4-6pm, as well as one hour prior to Mass at church.