Judith "Judy" Timpe

Judith Ann Timpe, 73, of Rockford, died Saturday, January 31, 2015 from complications after surgery. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, on May 12 1941, the youngest child of Virgil and Iva (Nemoede) Herrick of Galena, Illinois. Judy graduated from Galena High School in 1959. She was married to Wayne G. Timpe on September 30, 1961, at St. Mary’s Church in Galena. Judy and Wayne moved to Rockford upon their marriage. Judy was employed as a legal secretary for several local attorneys until they started their family. She did continue her career with the firm of Smith, Hallock and Talley annually during tax season. While raising her daughters, Judy was a willing volunteer for anything: PTO, Girl Scout leader, Room Mother, and chief chauffeur for all her children’s activities. Once her two eldest daughters attended Rockford College, Judy volunteered for several years as the chairperson for the Regent’s Parents Association. She planned, hosted and catered numerous events for students and their parents at the College, most notably filling hundreds of “Study Buddy” packages for students during finals every semester. In 1988, Judy and Wayne began their business venture of LKG Industries, Inc. with the purchase of Philmore Manufacturing. LKG grew to also include the companies of Carter-Craft, DATAK Corp. and Pfanstiehl, all related electronics distribution companies. Upon Wayne’s death in January 2004, Judy assumed the position of CEO/Owner of LKG. She continued this pivotal role in her family business until her death. From 1993-2006, Judy and Wayne were the owners of the Rockford Lightning Professional Basketball team. This was the manifestation of their family’s lifelong obsession with sports! Even though Wayne was the “face” of the team, Judy was the “heart” of the Lightning. She truly loved the team and the whole Lightning experience. After she became a grandmother, Judy became the biggest fan and supporter of all the grandkids and everything they did. She attended countless basketball/volleyball/baseball/soccer/football games, programs, concerts, recitals and Grandparent’s Days with her favorite generation! She always felt grandchildren were better than children on any given day. Judy will be fondly remembered by her most cherished friend, Joann Livingston. Judy and Joann had a 46-year friendship that became much more than hairdresser and client. They treated each other’s families as their own. Judy’s sassy, and often sarcastic, sense of humor and personality will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was a tiny person, but was truly larger than life. Judy is survived by her daughters: Lisa (Mike) Johnson, Kathy (Gary) Granath, Gail Wheaton; grandchildren, Dustin (fiance Chelsea Spegal), Lyndsay and Adam Johnson, Shelby and Nick Granath, and Sean Wheaton; brother, Richard Herrick; brothers-in-law, Thomas Westemeier, Dale Timpe, Keith (Diana) Timpe, Gary (Claire) Timpe; sister-in-law, Karen (Dave) Peight; aunts, Ruth Krause and Edna Nemoede; along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and last, but not least, Judy’s dog, Duke. Judy was predeceased by her parents; husband, Wayne; daughter, Ann Marie in 1962; mother and father-in-law, Evelyn and Ambrose Timpe; siblings Edward (Helen) Herrick, Ethel (Gordon) Montgomery, Mary Westemeier, Eileen Herrick, Marcella Herrick, and brother-in-law, David Timpe. Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at St. Rita Catholic Church, 6254 Valley Knoll Drive, Rockford, IL 61109 with Rev. William Wentink presiding. Burial to follow at Highland Memorial Gardens in Belvidere, IL. Visitation will be from 4-8 pm, Friday, February 6, 2015, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, and 9:30-10:45 am, on Saturday at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Judy’s family for a memorial to be established. Funeral arrangements are being cared for by Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, 61108. To express condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com