Judith Lynne Flenner

Judith Lynne Flenner, 76, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Traverse City and of Michigan City, Indiana, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

She was born on July 13, 1949, to Samuel Elder Flenner II and Gloria Helen (Farrar) Flenner in Harrison Twp., Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Judi grew up in Michigan City, Indiana, where she was a state champion gymnast, and enjoyed cheerleading and Junior Miss Pageantry and other school clubs and courts.

Judi continued her interest in athletics by teaching physical education. She also enjoyed bartending at restaurants her husband had managed … the life of the party, remembering all "the regulars'" drink orders. She enjoyed volunteering for her children's school and for community programs such as Junior Miss.

All of her activities halted abruptly at the age of 31, when she suffered a traumatic brain injury, which left her comatose for 10 days and with serious physical and cognitive impairment. It took Judi years of difficult rehabilitation, but with an unmatched will to survive and with the support and love of family and friends, she pushed forward relearning to walk, talk and drive a car again.

She eventually became co-secretary of the Grand Traverse Area Head Injury Alliance and an advocate for the head injury movement. After the accident, she enjoyed taking creative writing classes and used her writing skills as an expressive form of therapy. She also filled in as an instructor from time to time for her yoga instructor, enjoyed some childcare and coffee and donut-type ministries, and is fondly remembered enjoying conversation in the breakfast nook over coffee while birdwatching, listening to her album collection and taking long walks with her companion, Tom, in her later years.

Judi had been wheelchair bound and resided at St. Ann's Home in Grand Rapids for seven years as her vascular dementia progressed. Caregivers report that she was the grand champion of trivia, was the Beatles' No. 1 fan, gave the biggest smiles (always had), had the best manners and joyfully received communion and blessings until the very end.

Judith is survived by daughter, Renee (Tom) Russo; son, Scott (Melanie) Porter; daughter, Jessica Gerber; 11 grandchildren, Ajay, Nadia, Lillie, Ethan, Spencer, Victor, Quinn, Cooper, Taylor, Logan and Chloe; brother, Keith (Lori) Flenner; brother, Sam (Diane) Flenner III; brother, Pete Flenner; sister, Leslie (Jeff) Samelson; and former husbands, Steve Porter and Dan Spyhalski.

She was preceded in death by her father and her mother; two of her sisters, Jerri and Jacqui; foster sister, Sharleen Stout; and by her dear companion, Tom Duncan.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, 6 to 8 p.m. at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe St., Rockford, MI 49341, and Thursday one hour prior to Mass.

The Rosary will be prayed Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. from Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, with Fr. Dominic Couturier presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, www.biami.org; or St. Ann's Home, 2161 Leonard St., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Mass Intentions for Judi may be made to Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, 4865 11 Mile Rd., NE, Rockford, MI 49341.

Please visit www. pedersonfuneralhome.com to share a memory of Judi or to sign her guestbook online.