Judith Helen DeLeeuw

Judith H. DeLeeuw, born April 13, 1938, passed away August 3, 2025. She grew up in Peshtigo, WI, the third of Leonard “Dutch” and Flossie Sebo Stibbe’s five daughters. The Stibbe family was well known in Peshtigo because Judith’s grandfather and father operated a store on French Street from 1893 until 1967. In October 2022, the City of Peshtigo officially renamed the adjacent Riverfront Park to “Stibbe’s Riverfront Park” in recognition of the family’s contributions to Peshtigo since her grandfather immigrated to the city from Germany in 1883.

Judith received an A.B. in Biology from Ripon College in 1960 where she was the recipient of an honor scholarship. While at Ripon she was active in the college choir, band, and religious committee, and was elected as Homecoming Queen. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Theta and a charter member of the Delta Lambda chapter of Alpha Chi Omega. Following college, she taught at Whitnall High School and Riverview School in the Milwaukee area before her marriage.

Judith was devoted to her three daughters and enjoyed being a homemaker. She was a proud shareholder and lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers. She was active in her community and served as President of the Glendale Preschool Cooperative, on the Executive Board of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, the Vestry at Christ Church in Whitefish Bay, the Wisconsin Board of the National Cathedral Association, and the Junior Achievement Women’s Association board. She was also President of Lakeside Child and Family Center (now Wellpoint Care Network) and was a Life Member of the Peshtigo Historical Society and Junior Achievement’s Women’s Association.

Predeceased by her parents; infant sister, Sue; sister, Charlotte Olsen; and brothers-in-law, Charles Olsen and Paul Planchon, Judith is survived by her sisters, Heidi Knight and Susan Planchon; daughters; Elizabeth DeLeeuw, Catherine (Wayne) Bernardo, and Jennifer (Steven) Lindquist; grandchildren, Natalie and Nicholas Bernardo, Harrison DeLeeuw, and Hunter, Taylor and Audrey Lindquist; nieces, Sarah (Clark) Pope and Jennifer (Andrew) Snodgrass; nephew, Trevor (Katherine) Knight; and other relatives and special friends.

She will be deeply missed for her love of family, thoughtful guidance, fierce independence, and strength in times of hardship. Her mind was sharp, compassionate, and keenly aware of the world around her. She engaged boldly with politics, feminism, and faith, always advocating for what was right. And even in life’s most difficult moments she found humor, a gift that brought light and comfort to those who knew her.

Per Judith’s wishes, no public service will be held. If desired, commemorative contributions may be made in Judith’s memory to Doctors Without Borders, a global charity of importance to her. Donate in Judith's Honor