Judith Otterson 04/20/2026

Judith Anne Pyer was born on July 11, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Virginia Anne Wied and Harold Edward Pyer. Until the age of four, she lived with her parents and brothers, Larry and Dennis, in Pamperin Park in Green Bay. When her parents separated, Judy went to live with her maternal grandparents, Bert and Irene Wied, where she remained until she and her brothers were adopted by Charles Hammond after her mother remarried in 1958.

Judy attended Sunny View Rural Grade School, located about a mile from the family farm. Her class consisted of just four students—Judy and three boys. Judy later attended Waupaca High School, graduating in 1961.

After high school, Judy moved to Milwaukee and worked as a claims examiner for Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. She remained there until October 1967, when she returned to Waupaca to marry Gordon Otterson. Their romance was truly whirlwind—meeting on July 1, becoming engaged over Labor Day weekend, and marrying on November 11, 1967.

Throughout their marriage, Judy and Gordon moved several times due to Gordon’s work. They first lived in Blanchardville for a year before moving to Mayville. While in Mayville, Judy worked as a receptionist for Dr. Bachhuber and spent summer evenings working at the Joan of Arc Canning Company, both on the line and in the laboratory—an experience she believed everyone should have at least once.

In the fall of 1980, they moved to Downing, where they lived for 37 years. That same year, Judy began working for the Glenwood City School District. She served as an instructional aide, a special education aide, and, for her final five years, the secretary for the Guidance Office and Pupil Services Department. She retired in June 2008.

After retirement, Judy and Gordon enjoyed traveling, especially weekend trips to Bayfield, Wisconsin. They also took several bus tours, with a favorite being an East Coast trip with the Brothertown Indians of Wisconsin. Judy was a proud member of the Brothertown Indian Nation, and she and Gordon formed many lifelong friendships during their travels.

Judy loved browsing antique shops—the dustier the better—visiting bookstores, exploring anything related to Christmas, basket weaving, and enjoying lunch with friends. Above all, she cherished time spent with her grandchildren and attending their activities.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; her father, Harold Pyer; her mother, Virginia Wied Hammond; her stepfather, Charles Hammond; and her brother, Dennis Hammond.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Lodge (William), and granddaughters Haley, Sophia, and Peyton; her son, Jay (Lynda Elsing), grandson Jakob, and granddaughter Linsey; granddaughter Ashley Schmidt and great-granddaughter Milania Brynn Schmidt; sisters Sandra Lee Pyer, Sandra Lee Jensen, and Betty Christianson; and brother Larry Hammond (Cheryl).

A funeral service was planned for Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:00AM at Ezekiel Lutheran Church (202 S 2nd St) in River Falls, Wisconsin with visitation starting at 10:00AM.  Judy’s service was live streamed through the link below.  Interment was in North Beaver Creek Cemetery, Ettrick, Wisconsin on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026 at 12:00PM.

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch the recording of Judy’s service