Judith Ann Gerrish, 85, of Warner Robins, Ga. and formerly of River Falls, Wis., passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024, after a brave battle with Lewy Bodies Dementia.
Born Dec. 10, 1938, in Minneapolis, she was the daughter of Ross and Ardis (Keene) Frederickson. The family lived in Hector, Minn. until 1945, when they moved to Okabena, Minn. Judith graduated from Okabena High School in 1956. In 1960 she graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, earning a degree in Elementary Education. She married her beloved husband Samuel on June 18, 1960. They moved to Ellsworth, Wis., where she began teaching school.
Judith was a faithful member of Ellsworth Methodist Church, where she served as the choir director and pianist for many years. She loved to sing and was able to share her love of music by teaching piano lessons to many children in the Ellsworth community. She also loved language, and taught Spanish to children as well. When she and her husband moved to River Falls, she continued teaching piano lessons and did so until shortly before moving to Warner Robins, Ga.
In her younger years, she loved to travel and spend time outdoors backpacking and camping. As she became older, she would visit the nursing home with her Corgi fur companion, Megan, and her appreciation for the outdoors remained, with bird watching becoming a favorite hobby of hers. Judith was a beloved mother, sister, grandmother and friend, who will be greatly missed by all.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Gerrish, and her son David Gerrish.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Anne Gerrish of Warner Robins, Ga., Andrew Gerrish of Massachusetts, and Jennifer Gerrish-Lampe of Iowa; siblings Gary Frederickson of Minnesota, Neil Frederickson of North Dakota, Susan Frederickson Jurisz of Minnesota, and Karen Frederickson of Minnesota; as well as her four grandchildren, Quinn Gerrish, Maggie Gerrish, Lily Lampe, and Sam Gerrish.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial donations to be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.
A Service for Judith will be held at noon July 13, 2024 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home: 225 S. Third St. River Falls, WI 54022. A visitation will start at 11 a.m. until the service. Burial will be after the service at Ono Methodist Cemetery: N3298 County Rd CC, Maiden Rock, WI, 54750.
Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, 715-425-5644.
