Judith K. Murray, 63, of Lake Mills, Wis., passed away Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Care Center in Johnson Creek, Wis.
She was born Feb. 19, 1952, in Melrose Park, Ill., to Hugh and Donnaphee (Eberhardt) Murray. From a young age, her animals were always one of the most important pieces of Judy’s life, a love she has passed along to all members of her family.
She was a graduate of Royall High School, class of 1970, and then went on to get her bachelor’s degree in home economics from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1974. Years later she earned her master’s degree in at-risk from Aurora.
In 1974, Judy began her teaching career for the Lake Mills High School, a position she would hold for the next 33 years. Her influence inside and outside the classroom (she also was as a cheerleading coach) and her unique teaching skills earned her the Teacher of the Year award in 1980. She was instrumental in transforming the traditional home economics programs into a modern-day life tech program.
Judy met Dwight in 1988, and they enjoyed many happy years together, traveling with their dogs and taking their nephews and niece on trips around the Midwest. They were united in marriage on Aug. 6, 2004, at their home in Lake Mills.
Survivors include her husband, Dwight of Lake Mills, and her loving pets, Maizee, Gretchyn and Lucy; her sister, Cheryl (Greg) Scheeter, and their two children, Luke and Nate of Kendall; one brother, Tom (Denise) Murray, and their children, Erica, Josh and Nick of Kendall; one brother-in-law, Gary (Cynthia) Vimont and their children, Vanessa, Michael and Joseph of Chicago; as well as other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Donnaphee (Eberhardt) Murray of Kendall.
A celebration of life will be Sept. 27 at the Lake Mills Legion Hall from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a graveside service on Oct. 4 at the Glendale Cemetery in Kendall at 2 p.m.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Jefferson County Humane Society as well as the Lake Mills Rotary Christmas fund.
