Judith A. "Judy" Stahl, of Ontonagon, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. She was 83.

Born June 29, 1940 in Hancock, Michigan, Judy was a daughter of Harold and Martha Haanela. She graduated from Hancock High School in 1958. In the years following graduation she entered the work force, including some time as a telephone operator for Michigan Bell in Houghton. During this time, she met Thomas Stahl of Hubbell, Michigan; they married on January 28, 1961 at St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Hubbell.

In the early years of their marriage, Tom and Judy lived in Mason, Michigan in mining company housing. When copper mining began to decline, the young couple knew they had to relocate and opted to settle in Ontonagon, where they built their house on Paul Bunyan Avenue together.

Judy worked in a variety of part-time occupations in the Ontonagon area; she is best remembered for her years of providing cleaning services for numerous area residents and some businesses and offices. She took great pride in the services she provided these neighbors and friends. She and Tom rented the apartment they built above their garage to numerous individuals and families, creating long-lasting friendships over the years.

No matter what she was doing, her family always was her priority. Judy and Tom were blessed with three children and she always placed their needs above her own. She rarely missed a sporting event, concert, or any milestone or extracurricular activity – something that continued into another generation as she would always adjust her schedule to ensure she could be present for her granddaughters' activities as well.

Judy also found time to enjoy her home and her pastimes. It was rare to find her at rest – throughout the years she enjoyed water skiing, snowshoeing, and walking along with many other outdoor activities. She and Tom would often enjoy Lake Superior aboard their sailboat during the summers. Even when she was indoors she was rarely idle; she enjoyed baking and was a very talented cook, and her keen interest in interior decorating often had her repainting a wall or reupholstering – or at least relocating – her home furnishings. She was also a voracious reader, an avid fan of Hallmark movies and television shows about home decorating and renovation, and she always made time to make sure the wild birds were well fed – along with the deer, rabbits, chipmunks and another other "cute" wild creature that ventured into her back yard.

Judy will be remembered fondly by her husband Tom of Ontonagon; children Lori (Jim) Sulkanen of Newnan, Georgia, Joe (Tracy Sorrels) of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Amy (Dave) Maki of Dollar Bay, Michigan; granddaughters Taryn and Kendall Maki; siblings Carol Hochstein and Lee Haanela; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives; and her beloved dog Zoe. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Shirley Berchi.

Those who knew Judy well know that she was by nature a private person, and in keeping with her wishes there will be no memorial service.

Cane Funeral Home of Ontonagon is assisting the family.