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Obituary: Judith M. Thoma

Feb. 10, 2022

Judith M. Thoma died at age 70. She was a Door County native who grew up in Ellison Bay as the daughter of John and Frances (Meyer) Kopitzke, editors of the Door Reminder. She graduated from Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, in 1973 and married Steven Thoma on June 24, 1977. He died in 2020.

Judi was a musician and organist at her church, Emanuel Lutheran in New London. She taught elementary school at Peace Lutheran, Green Lake and Emanuel Lutheran in New London — pre-kindergarten through fourth grade — and most recently tutored at Dyslexia Reading Connection in Appleton. 

Judi is survived by her son, Adam; siblings Lon (Ruth Ann) Kopitzke, Ellison Bay, Ruth Kaufman (George Mracna), Appleton, Grace (Glen) Rossman, Baileys Harbor, and Gerry (Barbara) Kopitzke, Adel, Iowa; brother-in-law Bob Dailey; sisters-in-law Joanne Thoma, Karen (Wilfred) Grieser, and Glenna (Tom) Bleck. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother-in-law Doug Thoma, and sister-in-law Kaylene Dailey.

A celebration of Judi’s life was held Feb. 16 at Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London, with Rev. William Heiges officiating.