Judith Lynn Arneson

Judy Arneson's life journey has ended...or just begun. Judith Lynn Arneson was born in Eau Claire, WI on June 9, 1943. On July 17, 2025 she passed at the age of 82 in Wauwatosa, WI. She is preceded in death by her daughter Jennie Schemenaur (Todd) of Milwaukee; sister Pamela Smith of Hudson, WI; and parents Harold and Lorraine Smith of Eau Claire, WI. She is survived by husband Arne Jon of Wauwatosa, WI, and son Kris (Jessica Tulachka) and Grandchildren Max, Olivia, and Lilliane of Menomonee Falls, WI.

Judy and Arne were the original "band geeks," having first met in the Eau Claire Junior High Band where she was first chair clarinet and he first chair trumpet. They were "going steady" by the time they were featured soloists at their senior year band concert at Memorial High School in Eau Claire, WI-conducted by Eau Claire's very own Donald "Sarge" Boyd and were also featured soloists with the Eau Claire Municipal Band and at the 1961 Wisconsin State Music Conference. Judy went on to receive a bachelor's in education at UW-Eau Claire, and Arne a bachelor's in music at UW-Madison. They were married shortly thereafter in June 1965, in Eau Claire, the start of 60 amazing years of friendship and love.

Judy's first teaching job-the beginning of a career that spanned three states and a myriad of educational/service achievements-was as an elementary teacher at Van Hise Elementary in Madison, WI. Following graduate work at the State University of New York-Fredonia, she became a reading specialist for the Dunkirk and Endicott, New York schools and a few years later, after moving to Colorado, she joined the staff of the renowned Mountain Shadows Montessori School in Boulder. Another year or so and she wound up as the principal field researcher/coordinator for the famous Colorado Adoption Project, administered through the University of Colorado Institute for Behavioral Genetics. Following a return to Wisconsin roots and the arrival of Kris and Jennie (and a few years devoted to family...), Judy became the Administrator for the Woodlands Montessori School in Madison, and most recently was Director of the Portage County/UW Extension Healthy Beginnings Program in Stevens Point, WI, a highly successful venture that assisted first time young single mothers adapting to parenthood.

Judy never met a stranger she couldn't talk to or heard a joke she couldn't/wouldn't laugh at or tell. She loved socializing, camping, cruising, casinos (for the ambience and dining, of course!), playing bridge (or any games), being Kris and Jennie's mom and Max, Olivia, and Lilliane's "Mima," her students, and her dogs and cats (especially grand-dogs Bandit, Winston, Stella, and Smoky).

A celebration of life will be arranged at a later date. Judy would be pleased if you would consider donations to your local humane society or animal shelter in lieu of memorial gifts or remembrances of any kind.