Joseph Schoeneman
March 19, 1956 - October 08, 2026
Obituary
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Joseph’s Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Click here to watch.
OREGON - Joseph P. “Joe” Schoeneman, 70, of Oregon, passed away peacefully to be with his Lord Jesus on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at his home, with his loving family by his side.
Joe was born on March 19, 1956, in Wausau, Wis., the son of John and Katherine Philpot Schoeneman. He lettered in baseball and basketball at Wausau East High, and after graduation attended the University of Wisconsin-Marathon County, where he lettered in soccer and tennis.
In 1978, Joe graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts, Radio, Television, and Film and began working for WSAU-TV (later WSAW-TV) in Wausau, where he wrote and produced commercials and other content.
During his time in Wausau Joe was also the voice of D.C. Everest football and basketball for WRIG-AM, and called several high-school championship football games at Camp Randall Stadium and state-tournament basketball games from the UW Fieldhouse.
Joe later moved to WISC-TV in Madison where he produced commercials (including one that won a prestigious Addy Award) and met his future wife, Karen Kral-Schoeneman. They were married in 1990.
Joe also worked as a groundskeeper at University Ridge Golf Course, Verona, and Legend at Bergamot Golf Course, Oregon, and as a driver for UW Hospitals’ Physician Outreach Program.
Joe and Karen established the Sun Valley Christmas Tree Farm in 2001. They loved the Christmas season and treasured the long-term relationships they built with many of their customers.
In addition to being an excellent announcer, Joe had a beautiful singing voice. He sang in his parish choir and the Madison Diocesan Choir and toured with ensembles throughout Europe and North America, even performing at Carnegie Hall and the 9/11 Memorial.
He was a member of Holy Mother of Consolation Church, Oregon, and a member of the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers’ Association.
Joe received a second chance at life by receiving a kidney donated by Paul Sever, Duluth, Minn.
Joe was an avid Badgers fan who loved UW basketball and football games, including the Fifth Quarter, where he enjoyed singing and dancing with the UW Marching Band.
In addition to his wife, Joe is survived by two brothers, Tom, Wausau and Paul, Sun Prairie; as well as beloved pups, Polar and Snickers; and cousins, nieces, nephews, and one grand-niece. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Mary Jo (Schoeneman) Karnath and Beth Ann (Schoeneman) Hendricks.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026. A visitation will be held at the church from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2026, and also from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday. A luncheon will be held at church following the Mass on Saturday.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park St.
(608) 835-3515