Judith L. Bowen

 Judith L. Bowen, 87, of Jefferson, Wisconsin, passed from this world into the loving arms of her Savior on Christmas morning, December 25, 2024. 

Judy was born on April 7, 1937 in Modena, Wisconsin, to Rudolph and Hazel (Molid) Marten. She attended Modena Grade School and graduated from Mondovi High School in 1955 before earning her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. In 1957, she married C. David Goss and joined him in Japan while he completed his service in the U.S. Navy. Upon their return, they bought Judy’s childhood farm, where they raised their three daughters.

Judy spent 30 years as an elementary school teacher in Gilmanton, commenting that she never worked a day in her life as she loved her job so much. She loved each student and long into her retirement would share stories of so many of them. When she would see a story in the local paper or on a Facebook post, whatever it may be, she was quick to point out that it was one of “her kids”, even bringing the Mondovi Herald newspaper with her to show others. 

Moving to Jefferson in 2020, Judy was a “regular” at the Jefferson Cafe where she struck up many conversations and developed a network of friends throughout the community. Many in Jefferson had never heard of Modena, Gilmanton, or Mondovi but Judy put these places on the map as she was extremely proud of where she was raised and helped to shape the lives of so many students.  

On June 24, 1989 Judy would remarry Dennis Bowen. Together, they shared 32 years of adventures - gardening, traveling to see extended family, following grandchildren and their activities, exploring the country with their camper and enjoying countless miles of snowmobiling through northern Wisconsin. She was definitely the “glue” in our large extended family and always tried to keep us informed of those who weren’t nearby.  She was a loving, kind, and generous soul to all she knew - quick to share a smile, a warm hug, her jokes and wisdom, lots of homemade cookies, and most of all her faith in Jesus as our Savior. 

Judy was preceded in death by her husband Dennis Bowen, her parents, her brother Ed, infant sister Caroline, and her great-grandchild Angel. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters Kirsten Taylor (Doug) of Eau Claire, Elizabeth Goss (John) of Eleva, and Heidi Wegner (Ron) of Jefferson; step-children Dennis Bowen Jr. (Sharon), Cindy Monture, Diane Bowen, Debbie Field (Steve), Patty Mackesey (Mark); her grandchildren Bridgett Medina (Jesus), Becki Jo Foiles, Jeremy Moldrem (Breanna), Alexa Steinbach (Tim), Bryce Wegner (Alyssa), and Logan Wegner; step-grandchildren: Derrick Bowen, Kelsey Bowen, Joe Monture (Bridgett), Mary Monture, Elijah Monture, Ryan Field, Caitlin and Cara Mackesey; great-grandchildren: Max, Aubrie, Braxton, Kyle, Bry, Terrylynn, Mattrim, Levi, Elsie, and Grayson: great-great grandchildren: Renesmae and Kaden; step-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her beloved Dachshund, Schatzi.

A service of Christian burial will be held on Friday, January 3 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 232 Church Street, Jefferson, WI. Visitation will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m., with committal at Union Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the dedicated responders of Jefferson Fire & EMS and Fort Atkinson Hospital Emergency Room Staff that cradled us all in their arms on Christmas morning.  

Judy’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family asks that donations be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Forward in Faith campaign to remodel their Christian School, or any other local charity in honor of Judy.   

  Online condolences can be made at www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com.