Judy Harder

Judy A. Harder (nee Koller) passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the age of 84. She was born in Watertown, WI on November 10, 1939, the daughter of John and Effie Koller (nee Trotz). Beloved wife of Emil V. Harder for 64 years, loving mother to daughters Dawn (Dave) Van Dorf and Terrie (Ed) Nitka. Dear Nana to grandchildren Christina (Matt) Garthwait, Daniel (Jenn) Ubl, Alec and Kyle Nitka and sweet Nana Freckles to great granddaughters Adeline and Celia Garthwait. Further survived by brother Jim Koller and brother-in-law Rick (Mary) Harder, many nieces, nephews, godchildren and friends.

Judy grew up in Lake Mills, WI, where she took ballet lessons and was the one and only majorette marching and twirling her baton at Friday night football games. She graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1958 with 58 graduates. She followed her dreams and moved to the big city of Milwaukee where she worked at Northwestern Mutual Insurance and modeled at the Rosemary Bischoff Modeling Agency. She met her husband on the Clipper Ship in the middle of Lake Michigan where they began their love of ballroom dancing together. They were married on June 11, 1960 and bought their first and only home in 1964.

They have been long-time parishioners of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church for 60 years, where she taught first grade CCD classes, and she and Emil taught I’m OK, You’re OK classes for years. Judy worked for Gillette, Sentry, and in the Woman’s Health Club at the YMCA. She volunteered for Girl Scouts and numerous school and church functions.

Judy loved being a wife, mother and homemaker decorating her house with furniture she upholstered, painted, or refinished. She was a master seamstress designing and sewing clothes, making matching dresses for her girls, sportcoats for her husband, and flowergirl dresses for weddings. She was artistic, drawing and painting in watercolors and oils. She knitted, crocheted, and did smocking. She created wire trees and gifted them as wedding and anniversary presents for years. If you have one you should feel blessed as they are priceless.

Faith and family were integral in Judy’s life. She chose to become Catholic when she was twenty and prayed daily. In her final years, she watched daily Mass and was devoted to receiving the Eucharist. She helps us to see God in the beauty of nature, the power of storms, and the vastness of outer space. She loved them all.

Judy was a good friend to everyone and was most proud of her family especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed their concerts, games, and swim meets, in person and sometimes only through videos. She cherished all their artwork displaying them on her art gallery and photo wall. She was a gentle presence at family gatherings although she had been bedridden for over ten years and it took tremendous strength to attend.

Judy will be remembered for her warm, genuine smile, kind heart, caring nature, positive outlook on life, and fighting spirit. She was an inspiration for looking at her blessings rather than her limitations and she was beautiful both inside and out. Her legacy is the loving family she leaves behind and the friends who are sad to say goodbye.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 9:30 AM until time of Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 3970 North 92 Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Luncheon to follow in the Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Judy’s name are appreciated to St. Margaret Mary Church or Pro-Life Wisconsin. Wear a little red and let your Judy sparkle shine!

WE LOVE YOU AND WE MISS YOU!