Judith E. Kasza

Judith Ellen Kasza (nee Taylor) was born in Hart Michigan in 1937. Judy was the youngest of 4 sisters living amid the Great Depression. In her community she developed life-long friendships with her high school friends. She also helped out at the family hardware store. Judy eventually tapped into her generational talent of music making like her grandfather and others had before her. She grew into a young woman who played the trumpet. She was so talented that her parents made what was then a substantial effort to drive Judy across the state to audition for the recently established Women’s Air Force band. She was accepted and became the 4th daughter to support the U.S. military efforts of the time. She traveled with the Women’s Air Force band reunion at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. For the 20th and final concert. Between that audition and reunion, she met Air Force Technician Jerome “Jerry” Kasza in Texas. They were united in marriage in 1957. Judy moved with him to Milwaukee, where he had a career with the City of Milwaukee. This is where they started their family. She delighted in her 4 children—Janet (John), Joann, Joel (Jenny), and Judy (Patrick) and in her many grandchildren; Jennifer, Jillayne (Michael), Justin (Melissa), Andy (Danielle), Johanna , Patrick Jr., Janelle and Cassius; and great-grandchildren: Lydia, Judah and Gideon, Noah and Eliza, Casper and Nancy, and Jay. Judy and her family suffered a great loss when Joann was killed by a drunk driver in 1982. Judy was a loving, beloved, and life-long caregiver within her family. She extended that care to her many nieces and nephews—exchanging many family letters, birthday and holiday cards over the years. Later, she delighted in learning to use a cell phone—and emojis. Judy was a life-long musician as well—playing the organ for Sunday church services for decades; playing for countless veteran’s parades, events, and gatherings in Milwaukee and across several states; and playing in several small bands, including playing her trumpet with The Greendale Community Band. Community service was an important part of her life. Judy and Jerry spent countless hours coordinating and leading AmVets activities to support American Veterans and their families. Judy was a past commander of the State’s AmVets Auxiliary. Both Judy and Jerry were involved in their church, including ministries such as Sunday School, Missions Committee and the Pairs &Spares. Judy was involved with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) during the time when it was just established. Music and her family and extended family were woven into much of what she did. In her later years, Judy enjoyed her residence at Howard Village in St. Francis where she continued to play music, and where she especially enjoyed Sundays with her family attending church and then going out for omelets at the various diners and restaurants in a rotation. Donations in memory of Judith may be made to First Congregational UCC Church or AmVets posts of Wisconsin, or any Veterans organization or an organization of your choosing. We are so grateful for the loving care provided by St. Luke’s South Shore Hospital in Cudahy and to the Zilber Hospice Care. Visitation Tues., April 7th at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1111 N. Chicago Ave, South Milwaukee (Hwy. 32) from 3:00-4:45 PM. AMVETS White Clover Leaf Ritual at 4:45PM followed by Funeral Services at 5:00 PM. Military Honors to follow. Private Entombment Forest Home Cemetery Milwaukee, WI. Rozga Funeral & Cremation Services Rozga-Walloch Chapel

Judith E. Kasza

March 28, 2026