Judy A. Papke

Judy Papke, age 73, of Pittsville, passed away August 2, 2023 at At Home Again Memory Care in Rio. She was born October 6, 1949 in Madison to Arline and Leroy Johnson. They lived in DeForest, where Judy spent her childhood. She graduated from DeForest High School and later attended Lakewood College, where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She moved to Pittsville in 1975, and went on to work at Marshfield Clinic Security Health Plan, as a Medicare Reimbursement Specialist. 

Judy spent a life dedicated to many things. Favorite among them were gardening, her work, her community, and her family. Her home was surrounded by beautiful, well-manicured gardens. Her office was a place of joy and compassion. She served on the Pittsville City Council, where she instituted community events like the Pittsville Kite Fly, community dinners, and health programs. She also volunteered with the Pittsville and Rio food pantries. Her family was gifted with the innumerable joys of time spent with her. She raised her children to be kind and considerate. She raised her grandchildren with a loving irreverence for boring things. Kites were flown, flowers were grown, tea parties thrown. Gramma Judy’s house was a place of magic and wonder. She spent her last days where she best liked to be: surrounded by family. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and a sense of adventure.

She is survived by brother Dean (Barb) Johnson; brother-in-law Ron Bredeson; her children, Chad (Angie) Crary, Jodi (Jason) Cerkoney; grandchildren, Riley (Greg Fredericksen) Dupee, Rhandyn (David) Gunderson, Rance (Brittni) Meierdirk, Regan Meierdirk, Ella Cerkoney, Chase Seipel, Brock Ashley, Mason Ashley, and Megan Crary; great grandchildren, Cohen Gunderson, and Wren Meierdirk, her niece and nephews, Darryl (Kara) Doucette, Darcy Doucette, and Derek (Kristin) Johnson. She is further survived by a great niece and nephew, Nicole Anderson and Cory Mayr; great-great nieces and nephews, many cousins and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Arline Johnson and her sister Lois Bredeson.

Celebrations of life will be held both in Pardeeville and Pittsville. A celebration in Pardeeville will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023 from 4 to 6 PM at Grasse Funeral Home, Industrial Drive, Pardeeville. Additionally, a celebration will be held in Pittsville at the Pittsville Community Center Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 1 to 4 PM.

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