Judith “Judy” Ann Kleiber
Judith “Judy” Ann Kleiber had a beautiful end to her novel, Sunday, June 30, 2024. She died in her apartment, with her beloved husband of 60 years, Fritz (86), at the age of 83 years young.
A few weeks prior, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, where Judy was surrounded by her three jewels (daughters) and sonsin- law, Kendra and Douglas
Cieslak, Andrea and Edward Chao, and Sondra and Chad Duerkop.
In addition, she was surrounded and survived by her 10 grandchildren – Laura, Ellen, Justine Cieslak, Olivia, Ben, Mariah, Jordan Chao, Carter (fiancée Haley), and Carson and Caitlynn Duerkop.
Judy was born in Winona, Minn., Jan. 7, 1941, to Elinor and Billy Woodford. Her father left when she was three, and her mother raised her and her surviving younger brother, Roland (81, Winona), with the help of her maternal grandparents, Annie and Leonard Volkman.
She always had very fond memories of her childhood. Judy felt very privileged to have excellent teachers, who gave her a love for education. She attended Winona State University, to earn her bachelor’s degree in education and later went on to earn her master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
She took great pride in being a very hard worker. She loved the many jobs she had in her young adulthood, from serving at McVey’s Ice Cream Parlor, waitressing at the Winona Hotel, to working at a resort in Illinois.
Judy and Fritz met at her first teaching job in Oshkosh, and they were married June 13, 1964. They moved to Wisconsin Rapids, in 1966, and both became teachers in the Wisconsin Rapids School District, where she taught English for 32 years.
She was passionate about teaching and after retiring, continued to volunteer in the classroom at Medford Area Middle School, until this past school year.
Judy loved to travel. She and Fritz would take car drives throughout northern Wisconsin, to look at the different scenery. Following retirement, Judy was able to travel to Europe, with Fritz and go on trips around the U.S. and the world, with her daughters.
With a lifelong love of literature, Judy was always reading a book, or visiting a library or bookstore. She also loved old movies and spent many hours watching them, with her brother Roland.
Judy was always on the go and despite teaching her daughters that every day could not be a firecracker, she tried to make many of her days just that. She had a gift of truly wanting to get to know every person, and yearned for daily details of her children’s and grandchildren’s lives, so she could connect with them.
She always saw the beauty in people and the world. She was known to say inspiring quotes that her daughters would go on to teach their children. She reminded her daughters to be good human beings and love one another.
Judy woke up every morning and said, “Thank you, God, for this beautiful day,” and whenever she passed through green trees, she would say, “Ahhhh, look at the green mansions.”
After retirement, they moved to Hannibal, where they lived in their cottage that they had built in their younger years. Judy raised her family at First English Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, and later, was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Cornell. She loved the Lord and she loved life.
We (her daughters) are so grateful to our dear family friend and caregiver, Mary Podolak, Julie’s Caregivers and Laurie, for the wonderful care of our mother, until she took her rest.
Join the family to break bread together and celebrate Judy, Friday, July 26, at the Winona, Minn., Eagles Club, from 4-8 p.m., and/or the graveside service at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona, Minn., Saturday, July 27, at 10 a.m., officiated by Central Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Friends of the Library, c/o Francis L. Simek Memorial Library, 400 North Main St., Medford, WI 54451.
Friends and family may express condolences online, at hulkefamilyfh.com.
Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, in Eau Claire, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
