Judy Ann Thompson

Judy Ann Thompson (Saunders) 61, born July 8, 1964, to Duane “Gene or Pa”
Saunders and Takaki “Butch” Saunders (Yokooo) in Great Lakes, Illinois passed away
peacefully with family by her side after battling stage 4 metastatic lung cancer on May
26, 2026, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Judy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and cherished friend. More than
anything, she was dedicated to her family. Her home, heart, and arms were always
open to family, friends and anyone in need of love or support. She offered comfort,
honesty, laughter, and unwavering encouragement. If you were loved by Judy, you
always knew you had someone firmly in your corner.
She was the kind of woman who never gave up on people and never allowed the people
she loved to give up on themselves. A straight shooter with a compassionate heart,
Judy always told it like it was, but in a way that made others feel stronger, never smaller.
Her courage, resilience, and fierce loyalty carried countless people through life’s
hardest moments.
Judy dedicated her life to caring for others. She worked as a CNA throughout her
career. She worked at the hospital, ER, nursing home and homecare. She retired as a
certified hospice CNA from Black River Memorial Hospital Hospice and Homecare. She
took immense pride in bringing dignity, comfort, and compassion to people during their
most vulnerable moments. She also took great pride in working as an EMT with Black
River Falls Emergency Services for more than 15 years.
Even after making the decision to retire early, Judy selflessly chose to open a certified
daycare with the purpose of providing childcare and daycare services to each and
everyone of her grandchildren. By choosing to help family in this way she was able to
create unique and special bonds will each of her grandchildren. She is well known by
her grandkids for her sandwiches, weather it was a simple turkey sandwich or grilled
cheese their bellies were always full.
In October 2025, Judy was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer. She faced
every challenge that followed with extraordinary strength, enduring chemotherapy,
radiation and surgeries with the same courage that defined her entire life. Her spirit
remained strong even when her body could no longer keep up. Judy was a warrior in
every sense of the word — not only a fierce warrior she was selfless, courageous, and
deeply loving. She never let cancer dull her light.
Her laugh was magnetic, her humor healing, and even during difficult times, she
somehow found a way to help others smile. She carried people through pain with
laughter, honesty, and unconditional love. She sat with people in their darkness and
never shied away from being a beacon of light to those in need.

While we grieve her physical absence, we know her spirit remains beside us — guiding,
loving, and watching over the family she devoted her life to.
Judy is survived by the love of her life and husband of 45 years, Randy Thompson; her
three children, Tonya (Eric) Robers, Trisha Jacox, and Randy G. Thompson; her ten
grandchildren, Daryll Jacox, Addison Robers, Kayden Thompson, Davian Jacox,
Eleanor Robers, Kayla Thompson, Kaylee Thompson, Violet Robers, Dajia Jacox, and
Jaxxson Thompson; and, of course, her cherished dog, Nova.
She will be preceded in death by her mother and father Duane “Gene or Pa” Saunders
and Takaki “Butch” Saunders.
Rather than remembering Judy only for the way she left this world, we choose to
celebrate the incredible way she lived in it — with strength, laughter, compassion, and a
love that knew no limits. She spent her life lifting others up, opening her home to
anyone in need, and reminding the people she loved that they were never alone. Her
legacy is not only in the family she leaves behind, but in the kindness, courage, and
resilience she planted in all of us. Though she will be deeply missed every day, her spirit
will continue to live on in every shared story, every burst of laughter, every act of care,
and every moment we choose love the way she did.
There will be no funeral services held at this time, but the family will instead hold a
celebration of her beautiful life at a later date.