Judd H. Bowman

Judd H. Bowman, of Onalaska passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at the Tomah VA Medical Center. He was born on December 22, 1932 in Le Mars, Iowa to Glen and Gladys (Isebrands) Bowman. His father, Glen Bowman was the store manager at the J.C. Penney Store in downtown La Crosse for thirteen years.

Judd married Janice L. (Schubert) Bowman on May 22, 1954 in La Crosse. Judd and Jan were high school sweethearts and graduates of Central High School. They were members of First Ev. Lutheran Church. They were very proud of their four children. They enjoyed attending political events together such as the inaugurations of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. Loyal packer fans, they went to many games together, including the Packers’ victory in Super Bowl XXXI in New Orleans.

As a young man, Judd raced power boats on the lakes and rivers of the upper Midwest and was a member of the Midwest Power Boat Association. An accident in Mason City, Iowa, however, landed Judd in the hospital and, at Jan’s urging, ended his power boat racing career. Although his racing days were over, Judd managed to spend time on the water as a Mississippi River pilot for Big Indian Paddlewheel Boat Lines. Judd also enjoyed hunting and fishing at the family tree farm in Cataract, WI.

Judd attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison for a year and served in the U.S. Navy for two ½ years during the Korean War. Starting in 1954 as manager of the shoe department, Judd worked for many years at Sears. At the time of his retirement he was the manager of the automotive and sporting goods departments.

Judd was a good and kind man who cared more for others than himself.

Survivors include his children Jeffrey (Bonnie) of Washington, D.C., Jerijo (Henry) Crankshaw of Holmen, Judd Jr. (Barbara) of Bristol, PA, and Jodijan (Mark) Grega of Bartlett, IL; six grandchildren Theresa and Caroline Bowman, Henry V and Joseph Crankshaw, Caitlin and Cailey Grega; four great grandchildren, two sisters Betty and Nancy, one brother Daniel, along with special friends Jim and Bernie Arena & Gale and Karen Jessie. He was preceded in death by his wife Jan, his parents and an infant sibling.

Private funeral services were held. Pastor Andrew Schultz officiated. Burial, with military honors by the American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse and the Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program followed in Oak Grove Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at the Tomah VA for their outstanding professionalism and their caring attention to Judd.