Judith Kay Anderson

Judy Anderson (84) of Janesville, WI, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on December 5, 2025. She is now free from a 40+ year battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Judy was born on October 29, 1941, to Bernice (Legler) and Robert N. Kingdon of Monroe, WI. The firstborn of a special education teacher and a gas station owner, Judy was exposed to the value of education, service to others, and the importance of taking pride in one’s work. As a teenager, she held jobs babysitting and volunteered as a ‘candy striper’ at St. Clare Hospital. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1959 and pursued a teaching degree from Green County Teachers College and then UW-Platteville where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Education in 1963.

After graduation, Judy taught for the Janesville School District. She met Lyle, who would become her husband of sixty years, through her landlord. They were married on August 7, 1965, at Grace Lutheran Church in Monroe, WI, and then purchased the Janesville home where they would raise their family and spend the rest of their days. Shortly thereafter, Judy set her career aside following the birth of a daughter, Beth, in 1967, and a son, Dan, in 1969.

Never one for mediocrity, Judy did nothing halfway and motherhood showcased her meticulous sewing, knitting, and crocheting talents. She impeccably created the majority of Beth’s elementary school wardrobe, knitted sweaters for her son, and later on crocheted numerous afghans for lucky recipients. During these years, Judy also began painting ceramics, a hobby that fostered decades-long friendships and keepsakes too numerous to mention. She embraced numerous hobbies and endeavors through the years. Some of her favorites included spending Friday nights dancing at the Moose Lodge with Lyle, being a Girl Scout leader, roller skating, collecting, crafting, traveling with friends, and fulfilling her role as ‘Grandma Judy.’ Always proud of her heritage and embracing Lyle’s Norwegian roots, too, she made holiday Swiss bratzeli and Norwegian krumkake for decades.

Judy returned to the workforce with a job at Prent Corporation and soon after with the Janesville Medical Center where she processed insurance claims and was instrumental in establishing a union there. She worked until her 1983 Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis forced her to retire in 1991. She then was a primary support for Dan whose vision was compromised due to Type 1 Diabetes. Even after losing her ability to walk in 2016, Judy fought hard against her fate, remaining upbeat, engaged, and interested in her beloved grandsons’ escapades until the end.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Bernice; and son, Dan.

She is survived by her daughter Beth (Bob) LaBell and grandsons Reid, James, and Sean of Kenosha, WI; brother, Robert Kingdon, Jr. of Nova Scotia, Canada; dear friends, Sheri Curless and Connie Seiple; and numerous nieces and nephews who fondly remember Aunt Judy.

Special thanks to Judy’s Agrace Hospice team, Nimmer, RN, Mariah, MSW, and Ashley, CNA, for their caring and compassionate support during this difficult time.

Family and friends are invited to HENKE-CLARSON FUNERAL HOME, 1010 N. Wright Road, Janesville, WI, on Saturday, December 13, 2025, for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by a service where Judy will be honored along with her husband, Lyle, who passed the day after her. Online condolences are welcome at www.henkeclarson.com.