In the early morning of June 29, 2026, as the sun was starting to rise, Judith Ann (Brand)(Bauer) Jones's spirit began its journey to whatever comes beyond.

She was born to Walter and Doris (Allwardt) Brand in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on November 11, 1948, the eldest of three children. From a young age, it was clear that her passion was medicine. A favorite family story is how she would bring dissected animals home from biology class to continue studying them, which lasted until her grandma stepped on the dissected tomcat in the bathtub on her way to take a shower.

Upon graduating from high school, she attended nursing school in Evansville, Indiana, where she met Rod Jones. They married in 1969, and after Judy graduated nursing school in 1970, Rod's early career in the Air Force took them to Louisiana, Nevada, and Okinawa, where Judy continued to practice nursing. In the mid-1970s, Rod and Judy moved to Fall Creek, Wisconsin, and in 1977, Tamara (Tammy) joined their family. In 1978, they moved to Eau Claire, and in 1979, Rebecca (Becky) joined the family.

Judy remained in Eau Claire for the rest of her life, dedicating more than 30 years to Luther Hospital (now Mayo Clinic Health System). She began her career in the Emergency Room, where her calm presence, quick thinking, and unwavering commitment to her patients quickly earned the respect of her colleagues. As her career grew, so did her influence. Judy became a driving force in improving emergency and trauma care throughout western Wisconsin, believing that where a person lived should never determine the quality of care they received. She was instrumental in strengthening communication and coordination among rural EMS agencies, hospitals, and trauma centers, helping build systems that continue to serve communities across the region. She later served as the North/Northwest Wisconsin Regional Trauma Advisory Council (RTAC) Coordinator, a role that reflected both her expertise and her passion for ensuring the best possible care for patients in their greatest moments of need.

In the mid-1990s, Judy discovered another passion - what is now known as integrative medicine - bridging the gap between traditional and holistic health care. She and two of her closest friends - both RNs and both named Judy (is there something about the name?) - worked to change the face of nursing by encouraging care that looked beyond the illness and treated the whole person. She became a second-degree Reiki practitioner, began her journey into the world of Noni (how many of you sampled it?), and joined the OneHeart Circle at Potter's Farm, a space that remained dear to her throughout the rest of her days.

In 2005, Judy became a grandma for the first time, and then six more times after that. Her seven grandchildren quickly became the center of her world. She adored every one of them and cherished her roles as Nana and Grandma JuJu, taking them on trips, swimming at Pulaski Lake, and passing along the kind of wisdom that only grandparents can.

Around 2010, having apparently decided retirement from Luther in 2008 wasn't keeping her nearly busy enough (Tammy and Becky were convinced she was somehow busier in retirement than she had ever been while working because they could never find her when they needed advice), Judy joined Moose Lodge, Chapter 770, with her friend MaryAnn. There she served as Senior Regent, Junior Graduate Regent, and Past Regent in 2014. It was also there that she met Bill Bauer, who, with his flashy sport coats and immense patience, became her second husband in 2017.

In late 2018, Judy was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Bill lovingly cared for her until his passing in the summer of 2025. While dementia robbed Judy of many things, it never stole her spark, her love for life, or her opinions about ...well... everything. Even in her final hours, with her girls and eldest grandchildren by her side, the conversation turned to the future of artificial intelligence. Judy very clearly had something to say about it. (We're not entirely sure what, but we think she probably didn't approve.)

Judy was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Walter and Doris; her brother, David (Judy); and her husband, Bill.

She is survived by her brother, Richard (Sandy) Brand; her daughter Tamara (Autumn Eule-Nashoba) Jones and grandchildren Hazel, Walter, Leo, and Jade Bennett; her daughter Becky (Jim) Bunkelman and grandchildren Paige, Katie, and Chloe; along with extended family, the cherished members of the OneHeart Circle, treasured friends, countless former colleagues, and the many people whose lives were touched by her compassion, wisdom, and unmistakable spirit.

A celebration of Judy's life will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at River Prairie Park, Large Pavilion C (1568 Bluestem Road, Altoona, WI). Light refreshments will be provided, but if you'd like, please bring your favorite German/Wisconsin Lutheran-style potluck dish to share - along with your stories, laughter, and memories of Judy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Potters Farm https://www.pottersfarm.org/ or to the Mooseheart Child City & School https://www.mooseheart.org/ or to a place near and dear to you.

Her story doesn't end here. It lives on in her children, every life she saved, every nurse she mentored, every grandchild she adored, and every person fortunate enough to have been loved by her.