Judith Ann VanBlaricom, age 66, formerly of Menomonie, died Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, at The Heights in Ellsworth, with hospice.
Judith was born Jan. 15, 1940, in the Town of New Haven, Dunn County, to Wylie and Mabel (Johnson) VanBlaricom. She was baptized on Feb. 24, 1946, by Pastor Wm. L. Anderson of West Akers Church.
As a child, Judith was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. She attended Special Education Class at Coddington School in Menomonie. She later attended Pierce County Development Center until it closed, then moving to Red Wing until her health began to fail. Since 1989, Judith has lived in group homes in Ellsworth. Judith enjoyed being involved in Special Olympics. She was very loving and had a very happy disposition and will be sadly missed by her family and friends as well as the workers and staff at The Heights. “A special thank you to the staff at The Heights, especially Caroline and her daughters.”
Judith is survived by her mother, Mabel VanBlaricom of Menomonie; a sister, Shirley (Bob) Gunderson of Roseville, Minn.; two brothers, Wesley VanBlaricom of Chetek and Wallace VanBlaricom of Fairbanks, Alaska; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Wylie, in 1994.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2006, at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie, with Rev. Geoff Scott officiating. Burial will be in West Akers Cemetery in the Town of New Haven, Dunn County. Family and friends are welcome from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, and at the church one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.