Judith "Judy" Gaza (nee: Karklus; a/ka Karl), age 78, passed away on Monday April 8, 2024, in De Pere, Wisconsin. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 1, 1946, to parents Anthony Karklus and Virginia Karklus (nee Kurtz). On June 26, 1999, Judy was united in marriage to David Gaza. The couple spent 24 wonderful years together before David's passing in 2023. She moved to Shawano upon her marriage to David in 1999 and together with their 4-legged "son", Boomba, enjoyed their home, boating, fishing, bird hunting, and making many wonderful lifelong friends. They enjoyed 12 cruises and traveled to many memorable wonderful and exciting places including many winter stays in Florida.

Judy enjoyed and took pride in her 29-year career as Administrative Coordinator for the American Society for Virology headquartered 18 years at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and then 11 years at the University for Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences in Ohio. She worked virtually from her home after her move to Shawano and retired in 2017. Judy filled part of the daily work void by becoming an Election Inspector for the Town of Wescott, Shawano and co-organizer of the very successful Shawano Ladies Ducks Unlimited Banquet from 2006 until 2012. She was an avid reader and enjoyed time at her "happy place" the local casinos.

Judy is survived by her sisters-by-marriage, Sharon Todd and Barbara Rahman; brothers-by-marriage, Stephen Gaza and Hamdallah Rahman; nephews, David (Angie) Karklus, Andrew (Cheryl) Karklus, Tony Karklus, Paul Karklus, Jamal Rahman, Sam (Jamie) Rahman, Chris Gaza and Todd Schweitzer; nieces, Wendy Hassell-Karklus, Trisha Schweitzer, Meghan Gaza and Jessica Rahman; and great-nephews, Nolan Karklus, Anthony Karklus, Clint Karklus, Christian Karklus, Grayson Karklus, Jacob Rahman and Jaxson Rahman. She is further survived by caring friends in Shawano who were always there to help in time of need and were very much appreciated; special thank you to Stephen Heesakker, Ann Nack, Richard and Robin Gamroth, Bart Strelka, David and Andrea Dittman, Ray and Marie Ferguson, Randy Peters and her stylist and friend, Kristina Hansen.

Judy is preceded in death by her beloved husband and best friend, David; parents, Anthony and Virginia; beloved brothers, David Karklus, Daryl Karklus and Kenneth Karklus; number 2 mother, Helen Sucharski; brother-by-marriage; Greg Schweitzer; sisters-by-marriage, JoAnn Karklus, Linda Schweitzer and Kareen Karklus; nephew, Jordan Rahman; 4-legged children, Brandy-Girl and Brandy-Man/Boomba. She is now happily reunited with them all.

Funeral service for Judy will be held on Saturday April 13, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with Pastor Richard Buhrke officiating. Visitation will be held at funeral home on Friday April 12, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm and again on Saturday April 13, 2024, at the funeral home from 11:30 am  until time of service.

At Judy's request please no flowers or plants. Instead, a contribution made in her name to one of our many veteran organizations would be appreciated. "God blessed me with a wonderful life and very special husband for 24 years!; so please don't be sad for me, I'm at home now with all my loved ones".