Judith "Judy" Wencel

MADISON-Judith (Judy) S. Wencel, age 83, passed away on April 20, 2014, at UW Hospital in Madison. She was born on January 25, 1931, in Madison, and was the daughter of William and Esther Sherlock. Judy was a 1948 graduate of Madison West High School and married her sweetheart, Bruce Wencel, shortly after. She and Bruce lived in Cahokia, IL, where he was stationed in the Air Force, before moving to Paxton, IL, where they spent the remainder of his service. Judy and Bruce made their way back to Madison and raised 3 precocious young boys, as Judy turned their house into a home, where they remained for 51 extraordinary years. Judy’s outgoing, friendly and magnetic personality welcomed anyone who was lucky enough to be nearby. Whether it was the village of Paxton or the neighborhood of Orchard Ridge; Ridgewood Pool or Woodland Lodge, Judy left her mark. Their door was always open, as it was the headquarters for the neighborhood kids waiting patiently for her to arrive with plenty of food, love and compassion. She not only doled out melt-aways, brownies or sandwiches to any kid who walked through their door, but her inborn skills as a hostess extended to adults as well. Although she had a colossal collection of cookbooks, there never seemed to be a recipe she could not improve upon. Her lasagna was without equal, as was her strawberry-rhubarb pie and applesauce that always brought people back for more. Despite her passion for warming the hearts and stomachs of others, Judy would frequently trade in her apron for a tennis match, a round of golf, a run down the ski slopes or a bike ride. Together, she and Bruce traveled to many countries throughout the world on bicycle expeditions and skiing adventures. She hosted an annual gathering of her tennis-playing friends, who named the outing “Judy’s Tennis Camp”, at their beloved Woodland Lodge in Elcho, WI, and sunk a highly sought after hole-in-one on the golf course. Even though she was an avid athlete, hostess, wife and mother, she could still find time for good works with many organizations, including Madison Ski Club, Madison General Ladies Auxiliary, Mobile Meals, Attic Angels and Hillsdale College. An extraordinary woman, loved by many, will be deeply missed. Heaven has gained an angel in an apron with a tennis racquet, a pair of biking shoes and skis on the side. Judy is survived by her husband, Bruce, brother, William (Marge) Sherlock, and her 3 sons, Steve (Janice), Tom (Pam) and Bruce “Red” (Shuron). She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents. A celebration of life memorial will be held starting at 5:00pm on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at Pleasant View Golf Course in Middleton, WI. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s Care Center and the doctors and staff of the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Orthopedic and Emergency departments, for their care and support throughout the last 3 years. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials in Judy’s name to St. Mary’s Care Center, Madison, WI, or "In Memory of Judy Wencel", to Hillsdale College - 33 College Street, Hillsdale, Michigan, 49242. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Avenue (608)831-6761