Judith Ann Fisher was born in a boxcar near the river. Or at least that is what we were told. She often spoke of the many adventures she had there with her siblings. 2 brothers, Bub Fisher and Finn Fisher and 4 sisters, Bev Haas, Rosemary Smithson, Elaine Jordan, and Ginny White. Judie was a spitfire from the very beginning. Feisty and tough - that will remain a common theme throughout this obituary that isn't really an obituary.

Her mother, Rose would often remark she didn't "worry about Judie'' she worried about who "crossed Judie". Never clearing 5 feet tall, even on a good day, she propelled her life with the same gusto as any large linebacker. Judie would tell us girls that she reared about the boy who snapped her bra in school and how she rocked him  with some punches. He didn't do it again. She was an early adopter of women being loud, opinionated, and ANYTHING they wanted to be. Sometime in her teens  she went west to live with  her sister who was based in California in the service. This would be the best time of her life. She talked softly of her time near the sand and surf - watching seagulls.

Her trek back to Wisconsin soon brought a husband and a young family. 4 children almost in a row: Debbi Schaefer, Joe (Sarah) Harrington, Dianne (Mark) Sperfslage, and Rick Harrington. Judie ran that household and kept everyone clean and safe. She cooked to the best of her abilities and encouraged arts and music. She did have some jobs outside of the home that included record pressing and something to do with mink fur, no one is super sure what that was…. She was determined and finally got her license at age 26. Drove herself to the DMV pregnant with her last child to get it. The tester is said to have asked her what she would have done had she NOT passed. Her response was a shrug and "I would have figured it out". She rarely went over 35 MPH and always had a window down and a scarf on her head as she smoked her Winstons and drank her coffee each morning, you know, to "warm up the car". She drove until dementia would take that license 50 years later.  Once her kids had grown she began to passionately pursue art - taking classes with her beloved art teacher, Vicky, in Spring Green. Judie also began caring for her sister as she was dying of cancer. She prided herself on being able to see the "tough stuff" and remaining tough. After a season of loss, a reprieve, her kids started their families.  First was Raija (Dan) Miller and then Judie's  grandchildren: Kyle (Morgan) Sperfslage, Katelyn Sperfslage, Teal Schaefer, Justin Harrington, Brooke Schaefer, Kortney (Brycen) Pratt,  Jillian Harrington, Alexandra Harrington, Abigail Harrington, and Calvin Harrington. She was the kind of grandmother that watched late night television with you when you slept over, took you to antique shops WELL before your fingers could keep from breaking delicates, and welcomed you into her art room to paint, write poetry, and best yet, listen to her massive collection of records and tapes. She didn't allow for temper tantrums, jumped on trampolines,  and would often ask those grandkids to pose while she sketched them and the shapes they could make.

Throughout her lifetime she had a million garage sales. Not an exaggeration. She perfected the art of making sandwiches ahead of time, clearing the Peoples Bank of all their change, and always being willing to wheel and deal.  Some of the appeal was the people, as Judie was known to pick up friends at the local Mobile station and deliver food to folks who had to work on holidays (ie Judie boxes). The rest was because she could smoke and drink coffee (half vanilla cappuccino and half black coffee) the whole day. She often had more items than room, but she LIVED for creating what spoke to her heart and helping it find a home.  And then began writing more and more - published over a dozen books of her poetry and art. After she divorced and moved into her first solo apartment, ever, she dedicated a whole room to mediation, another to painting, while another was just for writing. Her lights were often on past 3 am and we are certain coffee and music  was on.

Judie lost her oldest son, and for this writer is when the shift happened. To lose your child feels unimaginable. She tried for a long time to survive, but the vibrant and creative Judie wasn't so much there anymore. Not long after, dementia came and took her vivacious brain and she drifted into a place we call: Dementia Land. She passed the time by often leaving her facility to get an orange soda and a pack of cigs and hitching a ride back with the local authorities. She also stole all the decorations the staff hung up, and when questioned, would say she made them. They also made her surrender all her scissors, no one is 100% sure why. At th time of her passing she was also REAL mad at Tom Hanks for some business deal gone wrong.

She has been long survived by her best friends and confidants: Janice and Mary. They have held her through all stages of life and Judie loved them and their families very much. In her final years new blessings were brought to this family: Joey, Harry, Marcella, and baby Sperfslage (coming SO soon). Her family takes comfort in knowing Judie isn't suffering, that is with Bev, Ginny, Bub, Finn, Phil, Grandma Rose, and her beloved Joe - in the place that is filled with pink clouds and 80 degrees. That is her description, not ours. You can read it in one of her many published books - or come to her celebration of life.

Join us to celebrate all that is and was Judie at the Mazomanie Town Hall  on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at 1 pm. The family would love to hug and visit with anyone who would like to come through from 11 am until 1 pm. The "formal" service will begin at 1 pm, with food and music to follow. Wear bright colors, be ready to laugh and be a little uncomfortable - Judie did say she would haunt us all one day. Special thanks to Agrace Hospice Care for taking such wonderful care of our Judes throughout this last year and after she took her last breaths.