Judith Ann Panula

Judy and her mother lived with her grandparents in Pequaming, Michigan, until her father got out of the Army. They then moved to Newberry in 1946 where her father got a teaching job. She attended school in Newberry and graduated high school in 1963. She attended Northern Michigan University for nursing and graduated with honors in 1966. She worked at Newberry Regional Mental Health Center as an LPN supervisor from 1966 until her retirement in 1992. She married John (Jack) Panula on June 11, 1966. They were married for 50 years. After retirement, Judy and Jack enjoyed camping at Michigan Vacation Village in Curtis where they made many special friends.

She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, serving as quilt leader of Prayer Quilt Ministry and stewardship chairman. In the past, Judy enjoyed working as a volunteer at the Senior Center and made many good friends there. She was also secretary of the Senior Citizens Association and a member of American Legion Post #74 ladies auxiliary.

She was an avid quilter, knitter, and cross-stitcher. She made many prayer quilts to give away for comfort and encouragement. During Covid, her and her sister Joanne made hundreds of masks for the community. She also enjoyed gardening and doing puzzles in her spare time. She especially enjoyed being a loving wife, mother, and grandmother to her 3 Gladstone girls and spending time with her beloved dog, Jake, who was always by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Frederick Schultz; her husband, Jack; her stepson, Greg; and her son, Alan. She is survived by her daughter, Kristinna (David) Trudeau of Gladstone, Michigan; stepson, Michael Panula of Oregon; three granddaughters, Nicolle Trudeau and Macy Trudeau of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Alaina Trudeau of Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is also survived by her siblings, Joanne (Leon Olson) Schultz of Newberry, Ronald (Gail) Schultz of Traverse City, Diane (Bob) Luisier of Daggett, Arthur Schultz of Newberry, and Allan (Lisa Lewicki) Schultz of Newberry. Also survived by brother-in-law Joseph (Lynn) Panula and sister-in-law Judy Napieralski and several nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will take place Saturday February 28, 2026 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church. A memorial service celebrating the life of Judy will follow at 4:00 pm at the church with Pastor Kyle Kuehl officiating. Interment will take place in the spring/summer of 2026 at Forest Home Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family in her memory. Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.