Judith L. Lichter Summers, age 85, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025 at Hospice House.
Born on April 20, 1939, in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Durward John and Isabelle (nee: Padula) Gray Bollow, she was educated in the schools of Kenosha, and was a graduate of the Mary D. Bradford High School Class of 1957.
She was united in marriage to the love of her life, Leo W. Lichter, Jr. “Bucky” on February 4, 1961, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Paris, Wisconsin; together they raised five children: William, Daniel, Laura, Amy, and Jennifer. Leo passed after 37 years of marriage in January 1998.
Judy married Charles D. Summers, (the calm in her storm) on March 23, 2001. Charles preceded Judy in death on December 29, 2015, after 15 years of marriage.
Bucky and Judy farmed in Somers, Wisconsin on the Lichter Family Farm. They had eight acres of pick-your-own strawberries. Bucky and Nick Lichter both farmed until Nick went to work in the private sector. Leo and Judy continued to farm until 1971. Leo pursued a career with J.I. Case in Racine.
Judy was employed at Snap-On Tools at the time of her marriage to Bucky. She also was employed as a Secretary/Housekeeper for St. Peter’s Catholic Church. In addition, she had other numerous jobs and retired from the Boston Store in Racine after close to twenty-four and a half years of employment. She held offices at St. Peter’s Church and school associations.
Judy volunteered at Hospice Alliance and St. Ann’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the Catholic Woman’s Club of Kenosha, holding offices of Secretary, Vice President and President and was a member of the Racine Catholic Woman’s Club. Judy volunteered as a poll worker for the Town of Somers and was on the board of directors at the Somers Village Centre where she resided.
She was a participant in the Mt. Pleasant Water Aerobics exercise class five days a week, enjoyed playing bridge, her Wednesday pond-condo and “happy hour” get together with friends. Judy traveled to Europe and throughout the United States.
Judith is survived by her children, William John Lichter, Daniel James (Cathy) Lichter, Laura Mary (Patrick) Hennessy, Amy Jo Lichter, Jennifer Sue (Ross) Buetow; her stepson, Dana Summers; grandchildren, Joshua M. (Lindsay) Lichter, Lucas A. (Carissa O’Neill) Sheen, Brett Leo Lichter, Sam J. Buetow, Michael P. (Alexandra) Hennessy, Adam M. (Olivia Evans) Buetow and John J. Hush; great grandchildren, Elliott and Emmett Hennessy, Lilith Sheen; step great grandchildren, Crystal and Carleigh Britt; sister, Penny (Nello) Copen; and brother, Thomas John Gray. Her greatest joy were her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and family.
In addition to her grandparents and parents, Judy was preceded in death by her husbands, Leo Lichter and Charles Summers; grandsons, Zachary Joseph Lichter and Jacob Daniel Lichter; nephew, Evan Thomas Gray; nieces, Alicia Hope Gray and Angela Hudy; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Service Date January 30, 2025
SERVICE LOCATION Piasecki Funeral Home
A visitation for Judith will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Piasecki Funeral Home, 3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI.
Funeral services honoring her life will then take place at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Inurnment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances to Hospice Alliance, 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158, https://www.hospicealliance.org/ are appreciated by the family.
