Judith Ann Ward

Judith Ann Seeger Holp Ward passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 79. She was the beloved wife of the late James (Jay) for 41 years and the loving mother of Jennifer (Brett Sterly) Ward and Jamie (Edmund) White. Judi cherished her dogs Muffin and the late Mannheim and was proud of her granddogs Robey and the late Maui. She was the youngest sister of Ronald (Marie) Seeger, LeRoy (Carolyn) Seeger, and the late Joanne Haebich; and aunt to Ronnie (Jackie), Cheri (Jeff), Jill (Mike), Ryan, Beth, and Sara (Gregory). She was the great aunt of Ashley (Mark), Emily (Dan), and Brady. She was the sister-in-law of the late Tressa Burnett and aunt to Chris "Bird" (Dion), Tim (Yvette), Deena, and Susan (Frank).

Judi was born in Racine, Wisconsin, to Gilbert and Doris Seeger. The family lived on a farm for a few years before moving back to the big city. She graduated from Horlich High School 1963. With the encouragement of her church, she set out for Dana College in Nebraska and transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to become a teacher, completing a degree in 1967. On a whim she drove out to California with a friend and taught 2nd grade there for one year, then bought a ticket for the Queen Elizabeth ocean liner and set sail for Europe. Anyone who has talked to Judi for more than five minutes knows the rest of the story. Without any concrete plans, she traveled around, cashed in her return ticket, and ended up in Pirmasens, Germany, working as an elementary teacher with the Department of Defense Dependents Schools. It was there that she met the pilot Captain Earl Holp, and they married in 1970. They moved to Alaska but their life together was tragically cut short when he was killed after a plane he was flying experienced engine failure and crashed, with Judi and other friends on board. A painful recovery followed for Judi but she picked up the pieces and returned to Germany and her teaching career. This time she was in Fulda, and she fell once again for a military man, this time Captain Jay Ward. His military trajectory took him to Florida, and she followed. After their marriage in 1978 daughter Jennifer was born; then the family was stationed in Germany, where daughter Jamie was born; then Virginia; and finally Illinois. Following schools in Virginia she continued teaching in Gurnee and finished as a reading specialist in Waukegan. In retirement she enjoyed socializing with friends, swimming, traveling, and her Bible study groups. She was always up for an adventure, loved Jesus, and was the person you could count on to go with you someplace, whether it be a concert, musical, or meal out (but only if the place was cute enough). Every meal was the best meal she ever had, and her laughter with friends was contagious. She saved every greeting card (and envelope) from her friends and family that was sent in the mail and loved reading every one. Muffin became her best friend in her final years and never left her side. There was no Judi without Muffin.

A visitation for Judith will be held Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM. A private family interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park in Racine, WI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rocky Mountain Biological Research Institute (https://www.rmbl.org/donations/) or we encourage you to donate treats, blankets, or toys to your local municipal animal shelter.