Judith "Judy" Ellen Winsor

Judith (Ellen) Knott Winsor, age 86, went to be with her Lord and Savior, June 4, 2025. Judy was born on January 6, 1939, sharing a birthday with her mother, to Melvin and Mary Knott in Dollar Bay, Michigan, where her father was teaching at the time.

The family later returned to Wisconsin, living in several communities in the northern part of the state. Judy often shared stories of her early jobs, including working at a restaurant and a glove factory in Merrill, where she graduated from high school.

She attended Stout University in Menomonie, Wisconsin, majoring in Home Economics. While there, she met Austin Winsor, and they were married on January 30, 1960. The couple spent a short time in Green Bay, where Austin taught and Judy cared for their first child, before settling in Gays Mills, where they made their lifelong home.

Judy devoted herself first and foremost to her family, staying home to raise their four children until the youngest was in elementary school. She worked some summers at an orchard, and then later joined the kitchen at North Crawford Schools, eventually becoming the Food Service Coordinator until she retired. She loved her work there and valued the relationships she built with her coworkers and students alike. She enjoyed being out in the community and keeping up with people.

Judy had a servant’s heart and a deep commitment to her church and community. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, many other church activities, participated in the PACE Club, was active in her quilting group, loved to play Scrabble, and rarely missed her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s events. She loved gardening, both vegetables and flowers, and faithfully supported her husband and family in all their endeavors. Her faith was central to her life. Judy had a special heart for young people to know Jesus as their Savior. Crescent Lake Bible Camp held a treasured place in her life. She first attended at age five, when her mother worked in the kitchen, returned as a camper, and later served in the kitchen during her teen years. When her children were young, she resumed working at the camp and eventually became head cook for the week. She faithfully attended Wrap-Up Weekend every year and was looking forward to this year’s event.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband Austin Winsor; sister, Ida Green; two brothers, John Knott and Wayne Knott; brothers-in-law, Gerald Haddock, Ray Johnson, Henry Green; and sister in law, Jeanne Knott.

She is survived by her four children, Elizabeth (Dean) Nankey, Muscoda; Carolyn Winsor, Gays Mills; Earl (Denise) Winsor, Gays Mills; and Barbara Timblin, Muscoda. She had ten grandchildren: Kevin (Heather), Susan, Laura, and Julie, Arthur (Sarah), Mary (Brian), Adam (Annalie), Leland (Brenna), Emily (Eliot), Andrew (Emily), and 20 great-grandchildren, with number 21 on the way! She was excited for each one and looked forward to activities with them. She is also survived by her sister Elaine Johnson and her brother Earl (Martha) Knott, and sisters in law LaVerne Knott and Faith Haddock. Her dear friend Lila Oppriecht. She leaves behind many cousins and close friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Maple Ridge Bible Church on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Visitation will take place from 9 am to noon, followed by the service at 12:00 p.m. A meal will be served after the service, and the burial will follow later in the Gays Mills cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please send a memorial for the Maple Ridge Bible Church, or the Crescent Lake Bible Camp, both ministries dear to Judy’s heart.

The Vosseteig Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

325 Sunset Ridge Ave

Gays Mills, WI 54631

608-735-2100