Judith A. Kirschner

Judith Ann (Vanevenhoven) Kirschner, age 75, passed away Saturday, September 1, 2018, after a brief illness, surrounded by loving friends and family. She was born August 26, 1943, in Kimberly, Wisconsin. She attended Holy Name of Jesus grade school and was an excellent ice skater, out skating the boys (forward and backward) during the winter months. She went on to attend Kimberly High School, where she was a cheerleader, Student Council President, and worked as a lifeguard during the summers. It was during these early school years that she made wonderful, lifelong friends. She remained a proud Papermaker all her life. She earned a Bachelors of Science in social work from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.

Judy was a people person through-and-through; she had the gift of gab, and an ability to make anyone smile. She was an excellent listener, and made everyone who talked to her feel like they mattered. These natural abilities helped her very much during her career as a social worker for Fond du Lac County. She loved her clients, and loved helping them navigate life’s problems.

At work, she met the love of her life, Stephen P. Kirschner, and they were married on November 20, 1971 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fond du Lac. A voracious reader, she read one book after another throughout her life, and passed on her love of reading to her children in countless trips to the Fond du Lac Public Library. Her love of reading extended to volunteering with the Right to Read program at Elizabeth Waters Elementary School, so that she could share the joy she found in reading with as many children as possible.

She loved her community, and especially her neighbors, and when the City of Fond du Lac wanted to remove the pedestrian bridge over the Dutch Gap near her home, she led the successful campaign to replace it instead. Her life was about the love that she shared, and we are all better for having been blessed to share in her love. She will be deeply missed by those who loved her.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Nathan P. Kirschner and Alison LaPean Kirschner, and one granddaughter, Seraphena L. Kirschner, Wauwatosa; one daughter Kate J. Kirschner, Fond du Lac; one brother: Paul (Carol) Vanevenhoven, Melbourne, Florida; and one sister Lois (Richard) Moyer, Clarklake, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen P. Kirschner, and her parents, Norbert and Eleanor Vanevenhoven.

Visitation/Services: Visitation will be from 9:00am to 11:00am Saturday, September 8, 2018, at ZACHERL FUNERAL HOME in Fond du Lac, 875 E. Division Street; the funeral will take place at 11:30am at ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH in Fond du Lac, 59 E. Merrill Avenue, with entombment at Calvary Cemetery in Fond du Lac.

A memorial has been established in her name benefiting the Fond du Lac Public Library.

Online condolences can be shared at www.zacherlfuneralhome.com.