Judith "Judy" M. Eitel, 88, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Judy was born in Racine on August 16, 1937, the daughter of the late Herbert and Elizabeth "Peg" (nee Konecny) Jacob, and the sister of Susan (Robert) Strand. Judy graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 1955. In 1958 she met the love of her life, Ronald "Ron" Eitel, and they married on September 3, 1960 at Holy Name church.

Judy is lovingly remembered by her four children, Sandra, Linda (John Bautista), John (Jennifer, nee Stadler), and Peter (Nancy, nee Seitz); 10 cherished grandchildren: Elizabeth (Brian Miller), Eric (Jade, nee Ortiz), Evan (Jessica, nee Olson), Jack Bautista, Kevin (fiancé Caitlyn Flores), Jacob, Thomas and Ben Bautista, Brian (fiancé Lindsey Wolf), Emily (Elliott Reske), and three great grandchildren, Quinn and Emmit Miller, and Isabel Eitel.

Judy had an exceptional eye for fashion and a genuine gift for helping others feel confident and beautiful. She took immense pride in serving her customers, ensuring each person found something special for life's meaningful moments. Alongside Ron, she helped grow the family business through its evolution from downtown Racine to Regency Mall and later to the Shops at Woodlake in Kohler, Wisconsin.

Judy was an avid tennis player throughout much of her adult life and later discovered a love for golf. Yet her greatest creative passion was found in the kitchen. A self-taught gourmet chef, she delighted in preparing extraordinary meals that brought family and friends together. Whether for a holiday celebration or an ordinary weeknight dinner, Judy expressed her love through her cooking, creating traditions and memories that will be cherished for generations.

Judy possessed a rare gift for making people feel special. Whether helping hundreds of women look and feel their very best, welcoming loved ones around her table, she lived with warmth, grace, and boundless generosity. Above all else, she was a devoted wife, an extraordinary mother, a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a loyal friend. Her enthusiasm for life, kindness toward others, and unwavering love for her family left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and in the family she so deeply loved.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at St. Monica's Senior Living Center and to the exceptional Surgical ICU team at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee for the outstanding care and kindness they provided Judy during her final days.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 26 ^th , from 11:00am – 1:00pm in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. A service celebrating her life will follow at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Monica's Senior Living Center or World Central Kitchen (wck.org).