Judith L. "Judi" Kay

Judith "Judi" L. Kay passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on January 22, 2026, at the age of 76. Judi was born on February 4, 1949, in Wisconsin Rapids to Cecil and Marie (Page) Donahue, where she was raised and lived most of her entire life. She attended Lincoln High School, graduating in class of 1967.

While Judi spent 24 years working at Walmart, her life was not defined by her dedication to her job, but rather her love of family, adventure and art. When her children were young, you could find Judi in the halls of Howe School - lending a hand in the classroom or working in the school office.

Seldom would you see Judi without her sketch pad and her colors. She was at her happiest when she was creating, whether it be on canvas or designing a Leprechaun costume for St. Patty's Day.

And to say Judi was adventurous would be an understatement. Her heart belonged to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park and she visited there often. Closer to home, she loved her camping trips to Ontonagon, Michigan, her annual trips to Bayfield for AppleFest and attending Hodag in Rhinelander.

After retiring, Judi would have the most important and gratifying position of all, caring for Emma, her granddaughter. Judi loved her role as grandma, proud of all her grandkids, she was always ready to share pictures and stories about them all.

Judi is survived by her former husband, Allen (Judy) Kay; children, Kim (Daniel) Hackbarth and Jason (Sara) Kay; grandchildren, Jessica (Tyler) Rindo, Dylan Hackbarth, Zachary Hackbarth, Tyler Hogan, and Emma Kay; sisters, Patti Ruch, Janet (Carl) Hulbert and Helen Donahue; sister-in-law, Alice Donahue; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Marie; stepmom, Alvina Donahue; siblings, Donna Odland, Robert Donahue, and Leroy "Buz" Donahue; brother-in-law, Robert Ruch; and two nephews.

The family would like to thank the Aspirus Hospice team, as well as the nurses and doctors at Aspirus Riverview Hospital. They also extend their thanks to friends who helped immensely during this difficult time, Pastor Paul Tullberg, Debbie Donahue, Kim Hoffman, Helen Jungwirth, Laura Boyles, Cindy Czappa, and Barb Zimmerman.

A celebration of Judi's life will be held on Saturday, January 31st at 1:00pm at the Rudolph Town Hall.

6432 2nd Ave, Rudolph WI 54475.

"Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure".