WAUKESHA

Judith E. Oakleaf

Dec. 19, 1941 – Feb. 28, 2011


Judith E. Oakleaf, 69, passed to her eternal life Monday, Feb. 28, 2011, surrounded by her loving husband and children.

She was born Dec. 19, 1941, to Vernon and Eleanor (nee Wiemuth) Hopp in Dundee, Ill. She spent most of her life in Elgin, Ill. Judy had a passion for life and made the world a better place for all that had the pleasure to know her. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren in sports and activities through the years. She was an avid Elvis and ABC soaps fan. She loved to dance. She married her beloved husband, Ken Oakleaf, on Aug. 11, 1990, and made her new home in Waukesha. She worked for Sentry Foods before retiring. She was a member of the Waukesha Eagles Ladies Auxiliary. She loved spending time with family, hosting family gatherings and trips to Cable Lake. As she struggled with illness, she taught us that anyone can give up, but to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Oakleaf; her children, Cynthia Alexander, Patrick (Joyce) Barnhart, Cari Kaemmerer and Mike Kehl; and five stepchildren, Susan, Robert, Michael, Linda and David. She was grandma to 18 grandchildren and nana to four great-grandchildren and two more on the way. She was a devoted sister to Vernon (Donna) Hopp, Gerald (Debra) Hopp, Ronald (Marilyn) Oakleaf and Carol Westland, and cherished by her nephews and dear friends.

She joins in eternal life her parents; her children, Robert Nesler, Gene Nesler Jr. and Terry Barnhart; brother, Richard Hopp; and several others very dear to her heart.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 4, at Church and Chapel Funeral Home, 380 Bluemound Road (at highways J and JJ, four blocks south of Interstate 94), Waukesha. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at Christ the Life Lutheran Church, 3031 Summit Ave., Waukesha. The Rev. Eric Edwards will officiate. Burial will be at Lakewood Memorial Park, Elgin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Foundation for Cancer Research.

Church and Chapel Rudolph-Larsen Bros. Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, call 549-0659 or visit www.churchandchapel.com to view the online obituary, leave condolences or receive directions.