Judith Marie Minke, 63, a loving mother, grandmother (Nana), daughter, sister and aunt, passed away on May 27, 2026, after a 29-year-long battle with cancer and the many health issues that stemmed from treatment.

Judy was born on October 1, 1962, to Rosetta Palmer and Richard Miller, the third of seven kids, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She was raised in both Hibbing, Minnesota, and Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. She graduated from Unity High School in 1981 and continued her education at the Hibbing Beauty School in Hibbing, Minnesota.

To a previous union, Judy was blessed with one son and two daughters, Lance, Judi and Amanda. She loved her children deeply, crediting them as her source of strength to survive her cancer diagnosis. She was also blessed with two grandbabies, Kennedy and John David, that became the light of her life.

She was a hard worker from a young age and worked many different jobs, though her true passion was cooking, which she did at both Calderwood and Paradise Supper Clubs. Judy loved to prepare home-cooked meals and baked goods for her family and friends, there was little more she loved in life than feeding others. Christmas time was her favorite, both because she loved the holiday and because she was able to bake from morning to night, filling her table with every type of cookie she could think of.

In addition to her love of cooking and baking, Judy was a talented crocheter. She could make anything based on just a picture and would even crochet in her sleep. She loved listening to old country music and spent many of her nights watching her favorite British TV shows and Hallmark movies.

She was a kind, compassionate, loving woman who always put everyone else before herself. Even when dealing with decades-long sickness and medical issues, Judy made sure everyone around her was taken care of. The love she offered so freely was rare and it was truly a blessing to be loved by her. She was always smiling and making others laugh, her light was never dulled despite the hardships she faced. Judy was one-of-a-kind.

Judy will be deeply missed by her three children, Lance Minke, Judi Minke and Amanda Minke (Jordan Paro), and her two grandchildren, Kennedy and John David. She is also survived by her mother, Rosetta Palmer, her six siblings, Patricia (Dennis) Hansen, Sandra (Bob) Rohwer, Daniel (Brenda) Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Connie (Paul) Wroblewski, John David (Rhiannon) Larsen, numerous nieces and nephews, a loving group of lifelong friends known as the Yayas, and several bothers- and sisters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Miller, father- and mother-in-law, Ken and Marlene Minke, and her brother-in-law, Nyk Minke.

A celebration of life will be held at the Milltown VFW Post 6856 (1503 200th Ave, Milltown, WI 54858) on Friday, June 12, from 2-4 p.m., concluding with a margarita toast at Half Moon Beach.

Last Update: Jun 01, 2026 9:34 am CDT