Judith Ortwerth

Judith Kathleen Ortwerth, age 85, of Ellsworth died on Monday, September 26, 2022 at the River Falls Area Hospital. Judy was born to Bernard and Esther (Potterville) Madigan on July 14, 1937 in Baraboo, WI. Judy graduated from Baraboo High School and went on to nursing school becoming a Registered Nurse. In 1969, Judy married the love of her life Bernard Ortwerth; their union blessed them with three children, Joe, Sara and Liz.

Judy was a caring person whose life passion was to care for others. Her nursing career started at the Red Wing Hospital Emergency room. From there she worked at the Ellsworth Care Center, she then went on to work as a Home Health Care Nurse for Pierce County. She finished out her nursing career as the Pierce County Jail nurse. After she retired, she went back to work in the Pierce County Drug Court. In her free time Judy loved to bake cookies. In the Summer she loved baking numerous goodies to sell at the Ellsworth Farmers Market.

Judy is survived by her children: Joe Ortwerth (Dixie Haglund), Sara (Melvin) Bechel, and Liz Ortwerth; grandchildren: Kristina (Jake) Howey, Tyler Bechel, Ben (Megan) Bechel, Trevor (Cabrina) Halvorson, Blake Bechel, and Carlie Mewhorter; 11 great grandchildren; and sister Barb Vannatta.  She was preceded in death by her husband Bud, and parents, Bernard and Esther Madigan.

A Memorial Service for Judy will take place at 12:00pm on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at St Paul’s United Church of Christ:  W5706 WI-72, Ellsworth, WI 54011, with visitation starting at 10am until the start of the service. Burial will be at Clayfield Cemetery.

Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com , 715-273-4421