Judith Mary Instenes

Service Details

A private service will be held by the family at a later date. 

Memorial Suggestions

Memorial donations may be made to Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1105 N. Waverly Place, Milwaukee, 53202, or Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Avenue, Racine, 53404.

RACINE  (FORMERLY OF MILWAUKEE) – Judith M. Instenes, 83, passed away at Ascension All Saints on Saturday, April 11, 2020.

Judy was born in Milwaukee on August 25, 1936, the daughter of the late Cliff and Marguerite (nee: Stewart, Churchill) Wright.  She graduated from Riverside High School.

On December 5, 1959 Judy married Donald James Instenes at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee.  Together they raised their children Douglas and Christine in Shorewood. After 55 years of marriage, Donald preceded her in death on October 9, 2014.

Judy was known for her bubbly personality, and the ability to strike up a conversation anywhere with anyone she came in contact with. Possibly stemming from early work as a switchboard operator, Judy had a magnetic phone personality, and over the years became the central news outlet and disseminator of information between extended family members and friends. She loved to tell stories, ask questions, and learn about new people and places.

Judy worked for years as the assistant manager at the Plaza Motor Hotel in Milwaukee.  She later worked as the business manager for the Great American Children’s Theatre in Milwaukee, where she was fondly referred to as “the lady in red.”  After their respective retirements, Judy and Don moved to Las Vegas where they enjoyed the warm weather, buffet lunches and nickel poker together.  They also loved hosting their 6 grandchildren and arranging fun-filled summer vacations and activities for their family. In their golden years they returned to Wisconsin to be closer to family in Racine, living at Lake Oaks and then Judy at Home Harbor. Judy remained passionate about theater for the remainder of her life, and was especially devoted to the Racine Theater Guild where her son Douglas is Managing/Artistic Director. She also enjoyed lunches, outings, puzzles, painting, and card games with her friends in her residential communities. She was most proud of her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandsons, and devoted considerable energy to keeping up with all of their activities, accomplishments, and pursuits.

She is survived by her children: Douglas (Kimberly) Instenes of Racine, Christine (Sharif) Ramsis of Virginia; grandchildren: Lauren Instenes, Dalen Instenes, Basim Ramsis, Lucy (Tyler) Lunsford, Emma (Robiel) Kidane, Zakary Ramsis; and her great grandsons: Jonah Lunsford and Elias Kidane.

A private service will be held by the family at a later date.  Memorial donations may be made to Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1105 N. Waverly Place, Milwaukee, 53202, or Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Avenue, Racine, 53404.