JuDea Anna Marie Birkel Klaas was peacefully welcomed into heaven on July 17, 2024. From the day she was born on March 1, 1929 to Kathryn and Ernest Birkel, until the day she took her last breath, she lived a life full of faith, family, and friends.
Judy grew up on a farm in the Lost Creek area with her siblings Randall, Joe, Dale, and Kathryn. Her mother taught her to sew and cook, skills she patiently taught to her children and grandchildren. Her parents instilled the value of a good work ethic, strengths she later cultivated in her own children. Judy graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1947, where she was known for her beautiful vocal talents. One of her favorite memories was when her father attended a concert in which she sang “My Johann” by Edvard Grieg. This was a talent she didn’t pass on to some of her children! Judy worked for Lord Abstract and the Bank of Ellsworth until she met the person who changed the focus of her life.
JuDea married Frederick Klaas in 1951 and together they raised five children. In between constantly
caring for her family, she made many casseroles and pans of bars for the people of Pierce County. If you were fortunate to get a Caribbean casserole or a pan of Judy’s dream bars, you know what we’re talking about. Her meals were legendary! Judy was very active with St. Francis Church and School, Scouts, 4-H, Ellsworth Golf Course, Wisconsin Medical Society, American Heart Association, and American Cancer Society. Even with all of the community service projects in which she was involved, she was a dedicated “cheerleader” and supporter at her children’s schools and after school activities.
If you’re reading this, you may have worn a costume Judy sewed for a school musical program. Perhaps you were the one to be served a special piece of chocolate “sponge cake” at the feast she prepared for the entire EHS wrestling team (post season, of course!) Maybe you danced for a 4-H music competition Judy choreographed. Perhaps you delighted her as much as she delighted you with some of her “Witches’ Brew” when you trick or treated at their Maple Street house. Or maybe you sat in solitude with Judy as you prayed together.
Judy always had a needle and thread in her hand, whether embroidering dish towels, sewing a jumper for the first day of school, a prom dress, merit badges, a bridesmaid dress, vestments for the parish priest, sterile dressings for Dr. Fred to safely suture a patient, crocheting blankets that wrapped up many babies in warm love, or a never ending supply of “shaker socks” she learned to make while they were “snowbirds” in Phoenix (between exploring the beauty of Arizona with family and friends.)
Judy was baptized at Immaculate Conception Church in Lost Creek, married in the original St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ellsworth, and will be buried in the St, Francis of Assisi Church cemetery. Faith was the fiber that wove Judy’s life into 95 years of loving, hoping, forgiving, and thanking God for all of the blessings she had received. The final song Judy heard was “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling,” which is about going home. Judy’s in her eternal home now with her beloved husband, Fred, her son, Jim and his wife Susan, daughter Nancy, her granddaughters, Elizabeth and Michelle, her great-granddaughter Camille, her parents and siblings, and many relatives and friends who were awaiting her arrival in heaven.
Judy is survived by her son David, daughter-in-law Ruth, daughter Suzanne, son-in-law Chuck, daughter Martha, son-in-law Rick, and son-in-law Don. Together Judy and Fred’s family blessed them with 13 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and seven step-great-grandchildren. Judy married a man from a VERY large family, so listing all of the relatives and friends would be a VERY long list of people Judy dearly loved. Blessed be her memory.
Celebration of Life
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, St Francis of Assisi Church Ellsworth, Wisconsin Visitation 10 a.m.
Mass 11 a.m.
Luncheon immediately following in the Parish Hall. Burial will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a “faith, family, or friends” donation to St. Francis School, Judy’s family, the Pierce County Food Pantry, or to a charitable organization of your choice.
