Judith “JJ” Ann Janquart, 80
Judith “JJ” Ann Janquart, 80, of Stevens Point was called back to God on March 21, 2024 following a two-year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Judie was born on May 21, 1943 in Menominee, Mich., to Joseph and Camille Janquart.
After Judie graduated from Marinette Catholic Central High School in 1961, she went on to serve active duty in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) from 1961 – 1964. Judie was most proud of the time she served her country. During her active duty years, she played her first organized sports and represented her post in basketball and softball. During her 20+ years of service in the Army Reserves, she played professional women’s football for the Toledo Troopers. Judie retired in 1993 as a major.
Judie attended Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point (now UWSP), because they offered a Women’s Physical Education major, to become a gym teacher. While attending college, she played six sports (field hockey, basketball, volleyball, track, tennis and softball). In 1970, Judie began her career in education with the Stevens Point School District, where she held many positions, to include: Physical Education Teacher, Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, Driver’s Education (Teacher and Program Head), Assistant Athletic Director, in addition to coaching Swimming, Tennis and Track & Field. She retired after nearly 30 years from the Stevens Point School District.
She spent her retirement winters at her home at Happy Trails in Surprise, Ariz. Judie’s many adventures included attending over 25 years of NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four, visiting Disney parks over 30 times, attending two Super Bowls, celebrating a Wisconsin Badgers win in the Rose Bowl, attending two Olympic games (Los Angeles and Atlanta) and in her travels, she had visited every state in the union.
Some of her many other hobbies included spending time with her family and friends, visiting the casino with friends, participating in recreational sports, horseback riding, golfing and was an avid, and dedicated fan of her beloved Green Bay Packers and proud of her first row season-ticket.
Judie volunteered at the Special Olympics for many years. She was a member of Holy Spirit Parish.
Judie is survived by: brother, Roger Janquart, of Surprise, Ariz.; sister, Gina (Ed) Buda, of Stevens Point; sister-in-law, Mary Janquart; nieces and nephews: Ann (John) Schuldt, Karen Janquart, Michelle (Chad) Lindstrom, Brian J. (Mandi) Janquart, Joseph (Laura) Janquart, Eric (Sarah) Buda, Ryan (Sarina Strnad) Buda; 14 great-nieces and great-nephews; and several dear, close friends.
Judie was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Camille Janquart; brother, Brian A. Janquart; nephew, Jeff Janquart; sister-in-law, Jerilyn Janquart.
From Judie’s family, we’d like to extend a special thank you to Joan Belmont, Lois Cable, Sue Gast, and her special neighbors over the years – Jim and Maxine Biser, and Charlie and Char Whitmarsh.
To know Judie is to know her dogs! In lieu of flowers, to honor the joy, love, laughter and comfort Judie’s special companions provided her over the years, please donate in her honor to the Humane Society of Portage County at https://hspcwi.org/donate/
A Mass of Christian Burial for Judith will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday April 13, 2024, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2151 Stanley St., Stevens Point. Friends and family may gather to share memories from 9:30 until the time of services on Saturday at the church.
Burial with Full Military Honors will be held at 1 p.m. on April 15, 2024, at Riverside Cemetery in Menominee.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shudafuneral.com.
