Judith Marie Konkol

Judith M. Konkol (née Holland), 80, of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin passed away March 8, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. 

Judy was born on November 12, 1943, to Elmer J. and Mary E. Holland in Deming, New Mexico. She spent her early childhood years in Fargo, North Dakota and graduated from Madison West High School in 1961. Judy attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was the first in her family to earn a college degree. She was trained as a Social Worker and was passionate about her chosen field.

Judy married her former husband, Edward J. Konkol Jr., on August 26, 1967. They later moved to the Milwaukee area where they raised two sons in Wauwatosa.

Besides being a devoted mother and grandmother, Judy loved quilting, reading, cooking and going out to eat at new restaurants in town. She found joy in crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and also enjoyed picking out new jigsaw puzzles for her and her granddaughter to work on.

Anyone who knows Judy knows she was an avid quilter and that she was exceptional in the craft. The family fondly remembers finding stacks of fabric supplies and trays of sewing notions spread out all throughout her home. Her beautiful handiwork now graces the homes of family members and friends.

Judy also worked part time at Patched Works in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. She later sold her artistic creations at various juried craft fairs, at the Wauwatosa Woman's Club and at Westmoor Country Club’s Christmas craft shows. In her later years, she discovered designer Sue Spargo’s gorgeous wool folk-art quilts and was a Wool Club regular at Bigsby’s Sewing Center in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. She also loved learning about new visual artists like Kaffe Fassett.

On a weekday, Judy could be found watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune on cable. She was also a huge fan of Top Chef and other similar competitive cooking shows on network TV. Judy also passed on her love of Animal Planet and My Lottery Dream Home programs to her granddaughter.

Judy is survived by her sons, David (Sermeng) Konkol of Wauwatosa and Jeffrey (Maureen) Harkin Konkol of Waukesha; her granddaughter, Zoe; and her sister, Beth Henkel of Bloomington, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer J. and Mary E. Holland, and her brother, James E. Holland. 

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the local Habitat for Humanity. The family wishes to thank the Medical ICU staff at Froedtert Hospital for their care of Judy during her final days.