She married the love of her life, Ron Robida, on June 14, 1969 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls. They spent 45-1/2 years together, traveling, enjoying music and dancing, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. The center of Judy's universe was her family, and Judy was the heart of her family. She loved being a mom and a grandma, and she always had homemade goodies ready when her family came home to visit. Judy shared much laughter and many adventures with her sisters. Her favorite traveling companion was her husband, Ron, and together they saw much of the United States and visited 11 different countries. Judy enjoyed reading, baking, doing word searches, volunteering in her community, going out to lunch with friends and attending the annual Hodag Country Music Festival in Rhinelander.
Judy was born September 1, 1946 in Chippewa Falls to John and Cecilia (Crowell) Winters. She attended Notre Dame Grade School and graduated in 1964 from McDonnell Catholic High School in Chippewa Falls. She worked at Mason Shoe Company in the office after graduating from high school. Judy was the Village Clerk-Treasurer for the Village of Dorchester from February 1971 to July 2011. She was a charter member of the Dorchester Lioness Club starting in March 1989, serving as president and treasurer. After retiring, she found great joy in working part time with grade school children at Colby Elementary School, where they all knew her as Grandma Judy. She was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester and was a member of the Our Lady of Peace Circle within the church.
She is survived by her husband Ron of Dorchester; children, Craig (Teri) Robida of Madison, Cuyler (Jenny) Robida of Loyal, Chad (Kim) Robida of Woodbury, MN, Cara (Chris) Boyd of Hudson; grandchildren Brady, Aubre, Ellie, Chloe, Gavin, Wyatt, Ciana, Croyden, and Celia; sisters Diana Winters of Lakeland, MN and Lonnie (Larry) Burger of Chippewa Falls; mother-in-law Jeannette Robida of Dorchester; sisters-in-law Karen Apfelbeck of Colby, Gwen Harris of Waupaca and Trude (Tomi) Garguilo of Orlando, FL as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Cecilia Winters, sisters Lola Jean and Sue Ellen, granddaughter Maeve Lucelia Robida, father-in-law, John Robida, and brother-in-law Andrew Apfelbeck.
A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, February 11 at 11:00 am at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 400 North 2nd Avenue in Abbotsford, WI with a visitation 90 minutes prior. Fr. James Schaefer and Fr. Daniel Hackel will be officiating. A wake will be held on Tuesday, February 10 at the church from 4:30-7:00 pm with a rosary starting at 4:00 pm.
Memorials made in Judy's honor will be donated to the Dorchester Lioness club and "Judy's class" at Colby Elementary School. To express online condolences, please visit hemerfuneralservice.com.
