Judith “Judy” Anne Strauser, 86, died May 18, 2026, of natural causes.

Born on March 11, 1940, to Clement and Letitia Ketchum, where they lived in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. She graduated from Two Rivers High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Ross Strauser. They married on June 29, 1963.

Judy and Bob remained lovingly committed throughout their 61-year marriage and enjoyed anything that allowed them to spend time together, especially The Fireside Dinner Theatre, Friday fish fries, watching the Badgers and Packers, and making their annual pilgrimage to Florida after they both retired.

As a special education teacher for the Lodi School District, Judy helped countless students and created memories that she fondly recalled years after she retired. At home, Judy loved gardening, studying her family’s genealogy, and decorating her home of 53 years, especially at Christmas. She also honed legacy recipes—like her coffee cake and chocolate pie—that generations of Strausers will enjoy for years to come.

Judy made friends and family a priority throughout her life. She regularly traveled to Memphis, Champaign, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Purdue to see her grandsons, and she proudly documented those visits with photographs for her annual Christmas card. Judy also maintained longstanding friendships from high school and college and made new ones through her church.

Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, held a special place in Judy’s life, as she spent nearly every summer there since attending Camp Manitowish as a young girl. As an adult, she joined the Lions Club and won Lioness of the year, while still making sure to leave ample time for boating, fishing, solitaire, and, most importantly, Bob.

Judy is survived by her son, David Ross (Mary Chryst); grandsons Matthew Ross (Jessica), David George, and John Robert (Taylor); great-granddaughters, Sophie Ross and Mia Kate; and nephews, Clement D. Ketchum III and Joseph Wendel Ketchum. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob; brother, Clement D. Ketchum II (Joan); and nephew, David Ketchum.

Judy’s family celebrated her life at a private ceremony on May 22. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Agrace Hospice.

Judy’s family extends a warm thank you to the entire Heritage Senior Living and Agrace Hospice staff and community for the care they provided Judy.

Please share your memories of Judy by posting in her guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434