Former Kewaskum Statesman publisher Lana Harbeck Kuehl, age 76, of Kewaskum, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at home after fighting COPD for more than a decade.
Lana was born on Aug. 41949 in Kewaskum, the third daughter of William and Marcella (Heisler) Harbeck. Lana lived her entire life in Kewaskum, a community she loved and always wanted to make better. She was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, attended Holy Trinity Grade School and Kewaskum High School where she was prom queen for her Junior Prom.
On Sept. 9, 1977 she married her high school sweetheart Dennis Kuehl at Holy Trinity Church, Kewaskum. They had three sons, Andrew (Nicole), Dustin (Becky) and Ross. Dennis predeceased her in 2014.
After graduating from Kewaskum High School, Lana became the third generation to become involved in the family business, The Kewaskum Statesman weekly newspaper. During this time Lana played a large role in advancing the layout and printing of the newspaper going from Linotype to an electronic Compugraphic system and ceasing in-house printing operations in the early 1980’s.
In 1987, she took the reins from her parents and became owner and publisher. Lana enjoyed her team of Cheryl, Gerry, Sharon (Mutz), Linda (Tilly) and her mother, Marcie, who always tried to keep these girls’ shenanigans to a minimum. Shortly after becoming publisher Lana oversaw another huge change in the industry — switching from using the Compugraphic to Apple computers.
In 2008, Lana retired and sold the newspaper to her son, Andrew, and his wife.
While meeting the weekly deadline of the newspaper, and being a mother, Lana found time to play an active role in The Kewaskum Area Chamber of Commerce (KACC), serving as president of the organization for a number of years. Through the newspaper and the chamber, Lana made it her mission to make Kewaskum a better place and she did.
She is survived by her sister, brothers, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will take place at Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home, which is located at 215 Forest Ave. in Kewaskum, on Tuesday, Aug. 4 (Lana’s 77th birthday) from 4-6 p.m. A memorial mass will take place at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, located at 331 Main St. in Kewaskum, on Aug. 5 at 11 a.m. with Fr. Mark Jones officiating. A private burial will follow at Salem United Church of Christ.
