Judy Lee Ojibway, 67, died peacefully on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at her home in Eau Claire, WI in the care of her family. She was surrounded by love, laughter, and positive energy until she left this world.
Judy was an Eau Claire native, born at Luther Hospital on January 23, 1949 to Edward and Margaret (Hanson) Ojibway.
Judy was a proud single mother. Her main priority in life was to provide care for herself and her daughter, Loren. After several years serving Chippewa County Schools in an administrative capacity at CESA-6, she made the difficult decision to leave a job she felt fell short of her expectations for financial security to pursue non-traditional employment. She worked first with the State of Wisconsin as a flag girl and later advanced into planning and construction of roads and bridges. She was later hired by Northern States Power Company-cum-“Excel Energy,” Gas Department. There, she enjoyed a lengthy, successful career. She was featured in a number of long-running promotional radio and television spots highlighting services she provided as an NSP line woman. She was proud of her work, well-liked by co-workers and the public she served. Whenever possible, she mentored women with similar aspirations as she felt it important to help them preserve their economic independence even if it meant shedding the auspices of traditionally gendered employment. She remained at her job with Excel until December 31, 2014. She enjoyed retirement and stayed positive, well-humored, and thankful even in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis in May 2015.
Those who knew Judy described her as always having a smile and as a charitable, kind person; she met life’s challenges with grace and dignity. She was unafraid of hard work, undaunted in many cases to be the only woman in the department, on the job, or part of a crew. Her daughter was the light of her life and she raised her to value choice and education. She celebrated her daughter’s successes and those of her son-in-law, Richard, whom she held in great affection. She took great joy in the companionship of her Yorkshire terrier, Bailey, who remained by her side until her last day.
She is survived by her daughter, Loren (Richard) Bennesch, both of Lawrence, KS, as well as siblings, Nancy Ojibway, Dawn (Dick) Mrozinski, David (Brenda) Ojibway, Terry (Mary) Ojibway, Dale (Brenda) Ojibway, Daniel (Debbie) Ojibway and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Michael, Timothy, Larry, Steven, Jeffrey Ojibway, and sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Deb Ojibway.
Judy wished her gratitude to be extended to the women in her family and her close friends whose work as careers is often not acknowledged, but was immensely appreciated. In the hands of these women, she was able to preserve her life on her terms until the end.
The family thanks Dr. Sandeep Basu, Dr. Zachary Wilson, and staffs of Mayo Clinic Health System Cancer Center and Clinical Research Department for their compassionate care, kind words, and constant support throughout Judy’s journey.
A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Stokes, Prock and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona, WI with Pastor David Irgens officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of services. Judy will be interred privately at a later date in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
Judy was an Eau Claire native, born at Luther Hospital on January 23, 1949 to Edward and Margaret (Hanson) Ojibway.
Judy was a proud single mother. Her main priority in life was to provide care for herself and her daughter, Loren. After several years serving Chippewa County Schools in an administrative capacity at CESA-6, she made the difficult decision to leave a job she felt fell short of her expectations for financial security to pursue non-traditional employment. She worked first with the State of Wisconsin as a flag girl and later advanced into planning and construction of roads and bridges. She was later hired by Northern States Power Company-cum-“Excel Energy,” Gas Department. There, she enjoyed a lengthy, successful career. She was featured in a number of long-running promotional radio and television spots highlighting services she provided as an NSP line woman. She was proud of her work, well-liked by co-workers and the public she served. Whenever possible, she mentored women with similar aspirations as she felt it important to help them preserve their economic independence even if it meant shedding the auspices of traditionally gendered employment. She remained at her job with Excel until December 31, 2014. She enjoyed retirement and stayed positive, well-humored, and thankful even in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis in May 2015.
Those who knew Judy described her as always having a smile and as a charitable, kind person; she met life’s challenges with grace and dignity. She was unafraid of hard work, undaunted in many cases to be the only woman in the department, on the job, or part of a crew. Her daughter was the light of her life and she raised her to value choice and education. She celebrated her daughter’s successes and those of her son-in-law, Richard, whom she held in great affection. She took great joy in the companionship of her Yorkshire terrier, Bailey, who remained by her side until her last day.
She is survived by her daughter, Loren (Richard) Bennesch, both of Lawrence, KS, as well as siblings, Nancy Ojibway, Dawn (Dick) Mrozinski, David (Brenda) Ojibway, Terry (Mary) Ojibway, Dale (Brenda) Ojibway, Daniel (Debbie) Ojibway and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Michael, Timothy, Larry, Steven, Jeffrey Ojibway, and sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Deb Ojibway.
Judy wished her gratitude to be extended to the women in her family and her close friends whose work as careers is often not acknowledged, but was immensely appreciated. In the hands of these women, she was able to preserve her life on her terms until the end.
The family thanks Dr. Sandeep Basu, Dr. Zachary Wilson, and staffs of Mayo Clinic Health System Cancer Center and Clinical Research Department for their compassionate care, kind words, and constant support throughout Judy’s journey.
A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Stokes, Prock and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona, WI with Pastor David Irgens officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of services. Judy will be interred privately at a later date in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
Judy Lee Ojibway, 67, died peacefully on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at her home in Eau Claire, WI in the care of her family. She was surrounded by love, laughter, and positive energy until she left this world.
Judy was an Eau Claire native, born at Luther Hospital on January 23, 1949 to Edward and Margaret (Hanson) Ojibway.
Judy was a proud single mother. Her main priority in life was to provide care for herself and her daughter, Loren. After several years serving Chippewa County Schools in an administrative capacity at CESA-6, she made the difficult decision to leave a job she felt fell short of her expectations for financial security to pursue non-traditional employment. She worked first with the State of Wisconsin as a flag girl and later advanced into planning and construction of roads and bridges. She was later hired by Northern States Power Company-cum-“Excel Energy,” Gas Department. There, she enjoyed a lengthy, successful career. She was featured in a number of long-running promotional radio and television spots highlighting services she provided as an NSP line woman. She was proud of her work, well-liked by co-workers and the public she served. Whenever possible, she mentored women with similar aspirations as she felt it important to help them preserve their economic independence even if it meant shedding the auspices of traditionally gendered employment. She remained at her job with Excel until December 31, 2014. She enjoyed retirement and stayed positive, well-humored, and thankful even in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis in May 2015.
Those who knew Judy described her as always having a smile and as a charitable, kind person; she met life’s challenges with grace and dignity. She was unafraid of hard work, undaunted in many cases to be the only woman in the department, on the job, or part of a crew. Her daughter was the light of her life and she raised her to value choice and education. She celebrated her daughter’s successes and those of her son-in-law, Richard, whom she held in great affection. She took great joy in the companionship of her Yorkshire terrier, Bailey, who remained by her side until her last day.
She is survived by her daughter, Loren (Richard) Bennesch, both of Lawrence, KS, as well as siblings, Nancy Ojibway, Dawn (Dick) Mrozinski, David (Brenda) Ojibway, Terry (Mary) Ojibway, Dale (Brenda) Ojibway, Daniel (Debbie) Ojibway and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Michael, Timothy, Larry, Steven, Jeffrey Ojibway, and sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Deb Ojibway.
Judy wished her gratitude to be extended to the women in her family and her close friends whose work as careers is often not acknowledged, but was immensely appreciated. In the hands of these women, she was able to preserve her life on her terms until the end.
The family thanks Dr. Sandeep Basu, Dr. Zachary Wilson, and staffs of Mayo Clinic Health System Cancer Center and Clinical Research Department for their compassionate care, kind words, and constant support throughout Judy’s journey.
A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Stokes, Prock and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona, WI with Pastor David Irgens officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of services. Judy will be interred privately at a later date in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
Judy was an Eau Claire native, born at Luther Hospital on January 23, 1949 to Edward and Margaret (Hanson) Ojibway.
Judy was a proud single mother. Her main priority in life was to provide care for herself and her daughter, Loren. After several years serving Chippewa County Schools in an administrative capacity at CESA-6, she made the difficult decision to leave a job she felt fell short of her expectations for financial security to pursue non-traditional employment. She worked first with the State of Wisconsin as a flag girl and later advanced into planning and construction of roads and bridges. She was later hired by Northern States Power Company-cum-“Excel Energy,” Gas Department. There, she enjoyed a lengthy, successful career. She was featured in a number of long-running promotional radio and television spots highlighting services she provided as an NSP line woman. She was proud of her work, well-liked by co-workers and the public she served. Whenever possible, she mentored women with similar aspirations as she felt it important to help them preserve their economic independence even if it meant shedding the auspices of traditionally gendered employment. She remained at her job with Excel until December 31, 2014. She enjoyed retirement and stayed positive, well-humored, and thankful even in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis in May 2015.
Those who knew Judy described her as always having a smile and as a charitable, kind person; she met life’s challenges with grace and dignity. She was unafraid of hard work, undaunted in many cases to be the only woman in the department, on the job, or part of a crew. Her daughter was the light of her life and she raised her to value choice and education. She celebrated her daughter’s successes and those of her son-in-law, Richard, whom she held in great affection. She took great joy in the companionship of her Yorkshire terrier, Bailey, who remained by her side until her last day.
She is survived by her daughter, Loren (Richard) Bennesch, both of Lawrence, KS, as well as siblings, Nancy Ojibway, Dawn (Dick) Mrozinski, David (Brenda) Ojibway, Terry (Mary) Ojibway, Dale (Brenda) Ojibway, Daniel (Debbie) Ojibway and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Michael, Timothy, Larry, Steven, Jeffrey Ojibway, and sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Deb Ojibway.
Judy wished her gratitude to be extended to the women in her family and her close friends whose work as careers is often not acknowledged, but was immensely appreciated. In the hands of these women, she was able to preserve her life on her terms until the end.
The family thanks Dr. Sandeep Basu, Dr. Zachary Wilson, and staffs of Mayo Clinic Health System Cancer Center and Clinical Research Department for their compassionate care, kind words, and constant support throughout Judy’s journey.
A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Stokes, Prock and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona, WI with Pastor David Irgens officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of services. Judy will be interred privately at a later date in Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire.
Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at http://www.cremationsociety-wi.com.
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