Judith "Judy" Ladegast

Fun-loving, vibrant and genuinely compassionate, Judith M. Ladegast lived life to the fullest as a loving wife, devoted mother, proud grandmother and great grandmother, and loyal sister and friend. She was a woman of great strength who worked hard throughout her life, and persevered through trials that came her way. Judy had a generous spirit and love to give of her time and talents. With a genuine heart that was as endless as the ocean is blue, Judy touched the hearts of so many within her reach, but it was the moments she shared with those she loved that meant the world to her. 1946 was a time of recuperation and reflection around the world. With the end of World War II just one year past, many nations were still recovering from the wounds inflicted on its towns and people. Harry S. Truman was the President of the United States, and Winston Churchill was the leader of England. This was the year that the cheerful favorite, Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah, was famed and brought a little smile into a healing country. For Kenneth Rich and Shirley Royce of Muskegon, Michigan, this was a time of joy for on April 5, 1946, their daughter, Judith, was born. Some time later, Shirley married Gerald Steinman, who adopted Judy. Judy was eventually the oldest of six girls: Judy, Betty, Sheila, Margaret, Geraldine and Cindy; the six of them undoubtedly filled the house with much laughter, spats and memories over the years. Judy grew up in the quiet community of Wolf Lake in Egelston Township, Michigan. Her parents both worked to provide for the family her father was a Welder/Crane Operator at Shaw Box Crane, while her mother was a nurse at Hackley Hospital and later a machine operator at a local foundry. Like many girls, Judy shrieked in horror whenever she saw spiders, bugs and rodents, yet jumped for joy when she and her friends could attend a dance at Egelston Township Hall. As a teenager, Judy got into her fair share of mischief too, like the time she snuck out of her bedroom window to drink with neighbor kids, but they ended up getting caught (she never did find out who snitched on them). Judy left school to take care of her younger sisters so her mother could go to work but would later return to earn her full diploma. The one thing Judy was true to was her best friends, Mary Alviar, Carol DeLong, Janice Gallegos, Bobbette Byard and Pam, who she remained close to her entire life. Judy was in her mid 20s when she met the love of her life, Donald Ladegast, at a bar. They dated for a few years before being married on September 9, 1972, in her parents home. Judy brought more than just her love into Donalds life that day though as she had three sons, Robert, Doug and Raymond, from a previous marriage. They settled down as a family in a house on Theresa Street in Muskegon Township, and once her boys were in school, Judy went to work as a laborer at West Michigan Brass. It was easy to see that Judy loved her family dearly. She was always so tolerant with her boys, and was active in their lives, while also creating a home where love was plentiful. Judy loved to cook for her family, and dinner was served the same time every night, and if you didnt like what was made, there was peanut butter and bread in the kitchen. The holidays were Judys favorite times to prepare extra special feasts that could feed an army. There were big breakfasts for Easter, delicious cookouts on the Fourth of July, and when it came to Thanksgiving and Christmas Judy made sure everything was beyond perfect. For family vacations, they loved to go camping, staying in campgrounds all over Michigan. There was always a dog numbered to the family over the years, and he would tag along wherever they went. Judy retired from WM Brass in 2009, though she already had plenty of hobbies and interests to fill her spare time. It was tradition that Friday nights were reserved for card playing with her friends and sisters, though Judy loved a night out playing Bingo too. Just recently, in November 2012, Judy and her sisters, Margaret, Cindy, Carol and brother-in-law, Sonny ventured to the Little River Casino for some gambling fun, and boy did she have a ball - especially after seeing the size of her winnings! In her quieter moments, Judy loved to read and crochet. Her greatest joy though, was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who she adored. Every Sunday she and Don took them to Jumbos restaurant, and once home, there was usually a tug-a-war of what to watch on TV. Always thinking of others before herself, Judy was there for anyone at any time, not because she had to, but because she wanted to share in the lives of the people she loved. She leaves warm memories and lasting love in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed. Judith M. "Judy" Ladegast, age 66, passed away on Tuesday, February 5, 2013. She is survived by her husband, Donald; sons, Robert (Jody) Whipple, Doug Whipple, Raymond Whipple, all of Muskegon; 9 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; brother, Allen Rich of Port Huron; sisters, Margaret (Carol Heath) Steinman of Phoenix, Geraldine (Don) Stone of Muskegon, Cindy (Sonny) Pickard of Muskegon; several nieces & nephews; best friend & caregiver, Mary Alviar; good friends, Carol DeLong, Janice Gallegos, Bobbette Byard and Pam. She was preceded in death by her fathers, and mother; sisters, Betty Dill, Sheila Taskey; brothers, Kenneth, Roger. Funeral services will be on Monday, February 11, at 3:00 p.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service in the Clock Chapel of Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy VNS & Hospice. Please visit clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.