Judith Ann (Popelar) Rogne

Judy Rogne, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and child of God.

Judy Rogne of Minocqua, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2024 at the age of 81. She was a very sociable person that loved meeting new people and making new friends. She will be dearly missed by the many people she touched during her lifetime.

Judy was born in Manitowoc, on January 7, 1943 to Clarence and Florence Popelar, the oldest of four children. They lived in Francis Creek. Her father, Clarence, was deployed to Europe six months after her birth to fight with the army in WWII. After returning home from the war, they continued to live in Francis Creek until 1955 when they moved to Mishicot. Judy was a spunky little girl with beautiful black curly hair. Always the tomboy, Judy held her own with other boys in the neighborhood. Her siblings appreciated her toughness and knew they could count on her to always back them up.

Judy graduated from Mishicot High School in 1961. One year later, she married Gene Rogne from Valders. They lived in Newton, and had three children, Lisa in 1963, Mark in 1965 and Amy in 1969. While raising their children, Judy worked for several businesses in the area, most notably the Branch River Country Club in Branch and Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc.

Judy was very creative and loved art and music. In high school, she played the drums and won a scholarship to a percussionist clinic in Madison. After high school, her hobbies included making crafts and painting with acrylic paints. Every year, she made Christmas ornaments for everyone in her family, including the grandchildren later in her life. She also enjoyed being part of the bell choir at Faith Lutheran Church in Valders, often mouthing the beat counts while swinging the bells. But perhaps her greatest gift was storytelling. She was never short on words on any topic.

After retirement, Judy and Gene moved to Minocqua, in 1997. They lived on a beautiful 12-acre wooded property, where she enjoyed gardening and her crafts. She quickly became involved in the community, joining Ascension Lutheran Church and the Northern Wisconsin Decorative Artists. During this time, Judy also worked at Thompson’s Thunderbird Resort in Lac du Flambeau.

For the past three years, Judy lived at Milestone Senior Living in Woodruff. At this facility, Judy was able to get the care she needed and live comfortably. The staff at Milestone did a tremendous job with her care.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Gene Rogne, her parents Clarence and Florence Popelar and her sister Diane Forsyth. She is survived by her sister Janet (Rick) Reichardt of Chapel Hill, Tenn., her brother John (Darlene) Popelar of Manitowoc, two daughters, Lisa (Mike) Bruehl of Manitowoc, and Amy (Paul) Pflieger of Minocqua, son Mark (Sue) Rogne of Manitowoc, eight grandchildren, Michael Emond of Manitowoc, Adam Rogne of Manitowoc, Melissa Emond of Peshtigo, Evan (Megan) Pflieger of Minocqua, Jacob Rogne of Littleton, Colo., Kelsey (Trent) McClure of Austin, Texas, Mason Pflieger of Minneapolis, and Emily Rogne of Manitowoc, and nine great-grandchildren.

The family was able to celebrate her life in a joint service with her husband Gene on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7937 U.S. Highway 51, Minocqua.

Memorial contributions can be made to Ascension Lutheran Church in Minocqua. Bolger Funeral Home is assisting the family, www.bolgerfuneral.com for condolences.