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Obituary

Judith “Judy” C. Saetre (Krumlinde)

January 17, 2019 | 5 comments

Judith “Judy” C. Saetre (Krumlinde), 74, of West Salem, WI passed away in LaCrosse, WI on January 16, 2019 with her loving daughter at her side.

She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Saetre; sister Susie Grow, her husband Jim; and brother-in-law Rich Saetre, his wife Gloria and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Saetre and brother-in-law, Rob Saetre.

Judy was born on October 30, 1944 in Oak Park, IL to Douglas and Florence (Farrell) Krumlinde.  She began her life as one of the first “Blue Babies”. At the age of four she was successfully operated on and though she was born with a defective heart, her pure determination, courage and stubbornness to overcome a lifetime of health challenges inspired many. She never failed to open what the medical community labeled a “defective heart” to anyone in need.

There was just something about Judy that made people gravitate towards her.  She had many friends from her job at Lakeview Foods, volunteering at First Free Church and the many wonderful neighbors who became friends, then soon became family.

Judy and Ray were married in June 1964 and she worked at his family’s business, Screen Print Products, in Chicago for years. Their long-awaited daughter, Cindy Saetre, was born October 8th, 1975.  In 1984, the family bought a “hobby” farm in Bangor where they lived until Ray’s death in 2000. Her remaining 18 years were spent in West Salem.

When her ability to walk was taken from her, Judy attacked life first by cane, then walker and eventually a wheelchair or scooter.  It was a common sight to see Judy walking her dog on her scooter or for her daughter to receive a call from the neighbors telling her they had to hide yet another step stool from Mom. She refused to let her disability hold her back from doing exactly what she wanted to do!

She loved her knitting and crocheting, listening to her favorite music and learning about history.  She especially loved traveling, road trips, visits to the Saetre family cabin in Canada and had visited almost every state in the US.  She never let her limitations hinder her adventurous spirit.  For example, while exploring the desert with her daughter, she tested the limits of her scooter, losing both safety wheels in the process while trying to maneuver over an especially treacherous trail she wanted to explore.

Judy had an uncommon love for animals.  After she and her family moved to the farm in Bangor, she enjoyed her cows and horses and tolerated the chickens and goats. She had dogs her entire life until she sold her West Salem home and her beloved beagle, Gizmo, went to live with her daughter in California.  On her daily conversations with Cindy, there was always a mandatory Gizmo update!  Even in the last week of her life, she FaceTimed with Gizmo almost as much as with Cindy.

The visitation will be held at 9:30am followed by funeral services at 11:00am on Saturday January 19th, 2019 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 359 Leonard St N, West Salem, WI. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Judy’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Best Friends Animal Society at www.bestfriends.orgor the Coulee Region Humane Society at https://www.couleehumane.com/.

Condolences

5 Comments

  1. Kim Milano

    Judy will always be in our hearts❤️

  2. Margaret

    Dear Cynthia
    I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. Your mother was a great woman and she will be truly missed and will always be remembered by you and your family. Sending you hugs and love
    Margaret

  3. PHYLLIS SCHNEIDER

    Cindy,
    I’m so sorry for your loss.

  4. Penny Kintner

    Cindy,

    Most of my memories of your mom are from our childhood and the wonderful family we were lucky to grow up in. I also remember the time we visited the farm and your mom calling “the girls” down for the night. But I also have good memories of you and your mom here in San Diego, our family reunion and the cabin in Big Bear. I’m glad that I have them.

    I’ll be thinking of my cousin tomorrow.

  5. Alex Marcelo

    Judy will be always be in our hearts, and her tenacity will be remembered along with her capacity to love and be loved by all.

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