Judith Louise Marshall

Judith Louise (Dierks) Marshall, 79, entered eternal life peacefully with her children by her side on January 6, 2024, after a battle with gallbladder cancer. The oldest of four children, Judith was born November 14, 1944, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Maythel and Ernest Dierks while her father was in the Army in World War II. Judith grew up in Washburn, North Dakota. She graduated from high school as valedictorian. After high school, she joined the International Music Camp School of Fine Arts' first European tour band with both Canadian and American students and directors. The group played concerts in England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Judith graduated Summa Cum Laude from South Dakota State University with a BSN in 1966. She was a member of the Pride of Dakotas marching band, the student nursing organization, and Sigma Theta Tau.

Judith married John A. Marshall on June 25, 1966. They celebrated 57 years of marriage before she passed away. Only six weeks after marriage, a driver crossed the center line of the highway and struck Judith’s car head-on. John was by her side during her hospitalization of over two and a half months. After recovery, she and John moved to Wausau, Wisconsin. Judith was employed as a Registered Nurse at Memorial Hospital, the Wausau City Health Department, and Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Her nursing career spanned over 45 years, where she worked in every department, except the delivery room, with most of her time spent in her first love, the Emergency Department. She was a Certified Emergency Nurse for many years as well as maintaining other certifications. Over the years, she enjoyed being a preceptor to many new staff members until she retired in 2011.

Judith enjoyed reading, sewing, bicycling, playing Mah Jongg, and baking. Her family enjoyed the made-from-scratch pies that were her specialty. She enjoyed playing board games at family events with her children and grandchildren. She had also been a member of the Older Wiser Lutherans (OWLs) group, church circle, and American Association of University Women (AAUW). Over the years she was active in church through singing in the choir, participating in lay reading, and participating in Bible studies. Judith and John were able to travel to all 50 states after their children were educated. All of their children are graduates of University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Survivors include her husband, John; children, John D. (Elizabeth) Marshall, twins Joellyn (Jeffrey) Mentink and Jeffrey (Jessica) Marshall, and former son-in-law Terrance Weaver; seven grandchildren, Paige, Alexandra, and Chase Marshall, Marcus and Mason Weaver, and Zachary and Nolan Marshall; as well as three step-grandchildren, Jacqueline Mentink, Alyssa (Jacob) Thronson, and Benjamin Mentink. She is also survived by her sisters, Janel (John) Heroff and JoAnn Nick; sister-in-law Judith (Orville) Alveshere; and many nieces and nephews.

Judith was preceded in death by her parents, Maythel and Ernest Dierks; her sister, Janice Dierks; and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Grace and John R. Marshall.

Funeral services will be held at a later date.

The family would like to express their thanks to staff at Agrace hospice care, UW Hospital’s Home-Based Hospital Care program, and Pastor Jared Parmley for their care given to Judith.