Bernice D. Judd

LANCASTER - Bernice Dorothy Judd (nee Vesperman), age 108, of Lancaster, passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at Atrium Post Acute Care in Lancaster WI. She was born in Ellenboro Township on November 23, 1910 to Ed and Nell (Jeidy) Vesperman. Bernice married Charles Judd on January 9, 1930. They were married in Dubuque by Dr. Lauble who had also married her parents. She was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster. Bernice and Charlie farmed for a few years until Charlie’s health was affected. Then they both worked at the County farm (Orchard Manor today). They also owned a tavern for a few years and Bernice continued working at the County Farm during the day. She retired from the County Farm in 1975. As the oldest child, she was her Dad’s hired man. Bernice did any kind of field work; according to the local paper, she ran a tractor at age 15, the first female to drive a tractor in the state of Wisconsin. She and Charlie loved hunting and fishing together. When the game warden would stop to check their catch, he always said, “You are some fisherman!” Bernice was often asked for her recipe for staying so healthy. She replied, “You work hard and play hard. I had a good teacher in my Dad as he did both.” Charlie and Bernice enjoyed wintering in Florida for over 35 years. After Charlie passed away in 1991, Bernice enjoyed the company of Joe Pier for five years until his death in 1997. Bernice, as the oldest sibling of six, outlived all her 3 sister’s and two brothers.
Bernice is survived by several nieces and nephews and special friends, Cecil (deceased) and Susan Allen, Joe and Gerri Reuter, and Gary Schulte.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 21, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster with Pastor Mark Hoehne officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends may call on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.
Online condolences: www.martinschwartzfuneralhomes.com