Judy E Gavaert

Judy Etta Gavaert (Rusch, Swick) passed into eternal life after a four year struggle with numerous illnesses, surrounded by her family on September 26, 2015, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Judy was born to the late Roland Sr. and Geneva Rusch on September 25, 1943.  She attended Mt. Calvary Lutheran Grade School and was a lifelong member of the church.  She graduated from Kimberly High School in 1961. Judy married her high school sweetheart, Royal Swick on October 6, 1962 and was blessed with 4 boys, who meant the world to her. She married the second love of her life, James Gavaert, on June 7, 1984. Jim brought an additional 3 children into Judy's life and she loved them like her own.

Family and friends meant everything to Judy. Her favorite times were spent with Jim and the kids on Shawano Lake, at the Swick cabin, and involving herself in her children's sports or watching her grandchildren in their various activities. Judy is survived by her second husband, James Gavaert, her four sons, Gary (Kay) Swick, Guy (Patsy) Swick, Ryan (Lori) Swick, and Reed (Amy) Swick, three step-children,  Craig Gavaert, Alan (Shannon) Gavaert and Bev (Russ) Keller.  Judy is also survived by twelve grandchildren:   Bailie and Brice, Spencer and Morgan, Hannah and Sophia, Hallorin, Royal, Katherine and Elizabeth Swick, and Jamie and Lindsey Keller; a brother  Roland Jr. (Carol) Rusch; brothers-in-law: Dick (Marge) Swick, Earl (Darlene) Gavaert; sisters-in-law: MaryAnn Swick, Marilyn Kamps, Jean Swick, Jacci (Dave) Vandehey, Jill (Tom) Haufe,  Sharon (Bernie) Hackel, and Joanne Verkuilen; special friends, Corrine Schroeder, Jackie Miller and Mary Ceil Buss; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to her parents, step-mom Marge, in-laws: Glen and Anna Swick, and Sylvan and Helen Gavaert, Judy was preceded in death by her first husband, Royal Swick; grandson, Justin Swick, siblings, Norbert (Carol) Rusch, Evelyn Rusch and Patricia (Dale) Olson; in-laws, Bill Swick, Bud Kamps, Pat (Age) Vande Burgt, Butch Swick, Don Verkuilen, Bob Verkuilen and special family friend Roger Schroeder.

Judy held various jobs where she met many amazing people. Some of these were AAL, Wydeven Insurance and various banking institutions. She and Jim were co-owners of the Forrest Run Pet Cemetery and Jim Gavaert Realty.

Judy was an amazing woman who put everyone in front of herself. She loved the Packers, Badgers and the Kimberly Papermakers. Judy loved life to the fullest and was a mom to many. She will be missed by all who were blessed to have known her.

Visitation will be held at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, 101 Canal Street, Little Chute, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, September 30, 2015. Visitation will continue on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, N8728 Coop Road, Menasha, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.  A memorial fund has been established.

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