Joleen Gay Pontow 1953 - 2003

Joleen Gaye Styskal, one of three children of Albert Elden "Elk" and Josephine Madge (Haden) Pontow, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on November 3, 1954. The Pontow family lived in Malvern, Iowa. Joleen was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church near Hastings, Iowa where she participated in Sunday School and youth group activities. Joleen graduated from the Malvern Community High School in 1972. She attended Kennedy College at Wahoo, Nebraska and in 1975 earned degrees in physical education and science. She accepted a position as a teacher's aid at District 20, a two-room country school near Ashland, Nebraska.
Joleen and Gene Styskal were married on January 29, 1977 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Wahoo, NE. They made their home at Ceresco, NE and Joleen became a faithful member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at Wahoo. Later Joleen took classes and became a certified optician. She was past-president of the Nebraska State Optician Society and tirelessly promoted the registration of all opticians. Joleen accepted an optical sales position serving Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming. In March of 2003, Joleen moved to Casper, Wyoming. She accepted a software specialist position with Tuppas Software where she trained clients to use various Tuppas programs. Some of Joleen's enjoyments included shopping, working with computers, jazz, crossword puzzles, and being a sports fan. Joleen loved time spent with her nieces and nephews and lived life to the fullest.
Joleen tragically died in a car accident near Douglas, Wyoming on April 4, 2003 while traveling to Des Moines, Iowa to participate in the Iowa Optometrist Convention. Joleen had attained the age of 48 years, 5 months, and 1 day.
Joleen was preceded in death by her parents Elk and Jo Pontow. She is survived by her brother Albert Pontow and his wife Casey of Hastings, Iowa; twin sister Coleen Jensen and her husband Steve of Wahoo, NE; former husband Gene Styskal; special friend Gary Vassos; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.