Judith R. Gildemeister, 70, of Sharon, died Aug. 12, 2013, at Lakeland Health Care Center, Elkhorn. She was born Sept. 17, 1942, in Harvard, Ill., to the late Raymond H. and Alice (Lorenz) Jahnke.
She married Carroll Gildemeister Aug. 22, 1964, in Walworth.
She was a 1960 graduate of Big Foot High School, and graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts from Milwaukee Downer College (now Lawrence University), where she was a member of the Alumni Board for several years.
She then attended Beloit College where she received her teacher’s certificate. She later earned her master’s degree from University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.
She taught at Elkhorn Middle School and then at Fontana Grade School. She was a master gardener and was very active at the Rotary Gardens in Janesville.
She served as a member of the Big Foot High School Board of Education and on the Needs Assessment Committee for the Big Foot Area Schools. She was a member of the AAUW, Immanuel United Church of Christ in Walworth, the Church Choir and a charter member of the Bell Choir.
Survivors include her husband; daughter, Brenda Kroupa, Neosho; and brother, Bruce (Linda) Jahnke, New Berlin.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Delavan United Church of Christ, 123 E. Washington St., with the Rev. Laura McLeod officiating.
Memorials to Lakeland Health Care Center, Activity Department, 1922 County Road NN, Elkhorn, are suggested.
Toynton Walworth Funeral Home assisted the family.
