Judith ("Judy") Marie Rykwalder (nee Olszewski) passed away peacefully at home on October 15, 2024.

Born November 12, 1950 in Milwaukee, WI to Dell and Grace Olszewski, Judith was the first of six siblings raised in Muskego, WI.

Judy is survived by her loving husband Paul Rykwalder; children: Jamie (Carissa) Jankowski, Jennifer (Eric) Huckstorf; step children: Chris (Sarah) Rykwalder and Jon Rykwalder; grandchildren: Louisa, William, Ellaina, Andrew, Nicholas, Katie, Natalie, Hannah, and Jackson; siblings: Jan (Glen) Bergersen, Karen (Jim) Pliska, Ken (Lori) Olszewski, Cheryl (Allen) Nadonly, and Gary (Maureen) Olszewski; along with many beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends, including Michelle (Jon) Oberdorfer.

Judy attended St. Mary's Academy High School and graduated in 1969. She worked for 39 years at St. Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee, WI, most of which was as a Medical Transcriber. Family was of major importance to Judy, and brought her great joy. After retiring in 2009, Judy became a full-time grandma, affectionately known as "GiGi". She dearly loved her grandkids.

Judy lived her Christian faith, and drew upon God's power to sustain her throughout her 11 ½ year battle with cancer. Right from the start, she was determined to live to see her grandchildren grow up and not to "be" the cancer. She succeeded in that, and far beyond. Judy's strength, courage and perseverance were an inspiration to all whose lives she touched. There were many factors which contributed to Judy's highly unusual long survival with high grade, advanced stage ovarian cancer at diagnosis. But ultimately, God's plans and will for her were the deciding factor in her longevity, and our gratitude to Him for the gift Judy was to our family cannot be properly expressed in words.

With most of her immediate family remaining in the Milwaukee area, gatherings throughout the year were often large and full of fun, laughter, and stories. Many precious memories were created during those times, and will remain with us forever. Fall was a favorite season for her, with its brilliant changing of colors, crisp, cooler air and crunchy leaves underfoot while walking along a forest path. Judy greatly delighted in the Christmas season, especially populating her home with the numerous decorations and displays she had amassed over the years, playing a vast array of Christmas music and warming the house with a soothing fire (in the fireplace, of course).

Travel included trips to the beautiful Door County Peninsula as well as visiting Orlando to, amongst many things, experience the stunning displays and unusual food at the Epcot Flower and Food Festival. Over the years, Judy and Paul enjoyed many walks together, a time to connect with each other and nature. In latter days, jigsaw puzzles and coloring via an app on her phone were relaxing diversions for Judy.

The family is extremely grateful for the excellent and compassionate care that Judy received in the Aurora and Froedtert systems, Horizon Home Care and Aurora Home Hospice. Ultimately quality of health care comes down to the interface between patient and caregiver. Judy, and the family, were blessed by the innumerable dedicated individuals that cared so tirelessly for her. In particular, Laurie, cancer nurse navigator at West Allis, not only helped Judy immensely along her tortuous path, but became a treasured friend. Dr. Mahdavi, Dr. Dickson, Dr. Grzaba-Gracz and APNP Tracy deserve special mention for their outstanding care. Regrettably, space does not allow detailing the many other excellent caregivers who contributed so significantly to Judy's care.

Please share your memories of Judy by posting on her tribute wall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be sent to either of the following organizations:

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA)
PO Box 32141
New York, NY 10087-2141

For information about this organization and/or to donate online, go to:
ocrahope.org.


Milwaukee Rescue Mission
830 N 19th St.
Milwaukee, WI. 53233-1616

For information about this organization and/or to donate online, go to:
milmission.org

Hartson Funeral Home
11111 W Janesville Rd
Hales Corners, WI 53130