Judith Koym, 86, of Merrimac, Wisconsin, passed away on February 25 surrounded by her loving daughters. Judy was born in Freeport, Illinois and graduated as a proud Pretzel from Freeport High School in 1953. On September 9, 1956, Judy married her high school classmate, James Koym, at St. John United Church of Christ in Freeport. They were happily married for
55 years until his death in 2011. Judy is survived by her children Sally Koym Laden (Michael Laden) of Cheshire, Connecticut, Amy Koym Stowe (Daniel Stowe) of Freeport, and Stuart Koym (Susan Koym) of Rockton, Illinois; six grandchildren and their significant others, Samuel Laden (Jordan Laden), Elliott Laden (Katrina Schmidt), Thomas Stowe (Inouye), Natalie Stowe (Jeremy Busch), and Aaron and Axel Koym; her first great grandchild Ari George Laden, and her nieces and nephews, Margaret Albamonte, Genevieve Dwyer, John Keenan, Paul Lappin, and James Lappin. She was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her sister, Mary Beth Lappin, her brother-in-law Don Lappin, her parents Marion (Dale Fair) and George Price, and her in-laws Lillian and Alfred Koym.

Along with her husband Jim, Judy was co-owner of Koym Electric Motors in Freeport from 1959 to 2000 and worked there as Secretary Treasurer. In high school Judy was a member of the National Thespian Society. In later years, she was a past Ladies of the Elks member of the Freeport Elks Lodge where she was a chili cookoff champion. Judy was co-editor of the From Our House to Your House cookbook and volunteered as a Pink Lady at Freeport Memorial Hospital. Judy and Jim retired to Merrimac, Wisconsin on Lake Wisconsin. They loved the home that they built together on the lake, which was the site of many fun times with family and friends. Jim and Judy always had a ball on the catamaran, the pontoon boat, raucous card games, and shared laughs. Judy had fun driving her golf cart around the neighborhood so she could visit with the neighbors. Judy and Jim swore they would never have cats, but as happens so often in life, they ended up as proud owners of the feisty kittens, Maggie and Lucy, Sadie and Chloe, and later Abner who loves his human mother and misses her daily.

Judy made friends easily, loved keeping up with her Pretzel classmates, learning peoples' personal stories, and sharing her own. She enjoyed having cocktails and dinner at the Ferry Crossing in Merrimac so she could catch up on all the local happenings. During the Covid-19 lockdown, Judy and her grandson Tom Stowe kept the home fires burning and got through it with good cooking, Judy's obligatory and much-enjoyed evening Kessler Manhattans, and watching Alex Trebek on Jeopardy. Her family and friends will miss her terribly.

Cremation rights were accorded. In lieu of a visitation and service, family and friends will gather on Sunday March 6 at the Freeport Elks Lodge, where a celebration of Judy's life will be held at 2 PM.

Memorial funds have been established at the Sauk County Humane Society at 618 Linn St., Baraboo, WI 53913 and the Merrimac Fire and Rescue Department at 100 Church St; PO Box 127, Merrimac, Wisconsin 53561.

Please visit www.walkermortuary.com to sign Judy's guest book and share memories.