Judith Suzanne (Gross) Gollhardt, a life beautifully lived from November 2, 1941 to June 12, 2022, passed ever so peacefully in her home in Porum Landing, OK surrounded by her family. She will be remembered for the love so freely given to all she met and passionate dedication to her family. Judie was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was one of two children born to Gilbert and Dorothy (Gow) Gross. She was preceded in death by her parents, much-loved sister Ardith Hoffmann and her beloved nephew, Steven Grabner and his entire family. Steven resided with Jim and Judie for two years where they adoringly helped raise him like their own. Judie graduated from Pulaski High School and briefly attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She married Jim, the love of her life and her very best friend on October 21, 1961. The glorious truth of the matter was, where Jim was, there too was Judie. The love they shared was so obvious and contagious to all who surrounded them. Jim and Judie moved to Shawnee Oklahoma in 1979. After 23 years, the couple retired with many friends, which they sincerely consider family, to beautiful Lake Eufaula in 2002. Judie enjoyed her volunteer work and dug right in, as she often did, serving as President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary for the Porum Landing Fire Department. She was a red-hatter and loved the zany excursions. Ladies, she still has her hand-made red and purple scrubbies set aside just for you. Judie’s life was filled with entertaining, laughter, love, leisure, fishing, traveling, cards, reading, knitting, crocheting, sewing, daily devotions and of course 5 o’clock cocktails, often joined by friends and family. Her children were blessed to have her as a Mother Warrior and Sunday School Teacher growing up, then later she added office work, tax preparation, substitute teaching and sewing machine sales to her resume. Ultimately, she found her niche in real estate sales. She was a people person and liked happy endings putting the right people in the right home. She became Realtor of the Year in 1995 but instead of being present to accept her award, in typical Judie fashion, she remained by her dear husband’s side, Jim, as he was having open heart surgery.

She is survived by Jim, her loving husband of 60 years and her devoted caretaker the last 2 years; two precious children, Bradley Gollhardt and wife, Mary and Jodi Cox and husband, Kurt; two treasured grandchildren, Erin Gollhardt and fiancé Evan and Jamie Gollhardt with numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. John Lutheran Church, 3610 N. Union Avenue, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804. Services will be at St. John at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2022. The family would like you to stay to break bread together, which will be served by the gracious ladies of St. John at the conclusion of the service. For those unable to make the Church service, a family visitation will be held at the Porum Landing Fire Department, 430048 Texanna Road, Porum, Oklahoma on Friday, July 8th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Please join us to celebrate Judie’s beautiful life.

A word of honor from Judie’s children: The love of our Mother remains all around us literally. Our hearts, memories, homes, and lives will forever be filled by the presence of our Mom’s enormous love for God, for us, and for so many lives that she touched through her Prayer Shawl Ministry that she began at St. John Lutheran Church many years ago. Her loving talented hands literally made over 1,000 prayer shawls. Prayer shawls are symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving God. This gift of God’s grace is not for sale; it is a spiritual practice with each stich being filled with our faithful crafting Mother’s prayers of love, care, support, and comfort. May her prayer shawls and this ministry continue to wrap, enfold, and provide solace. Her very last shawl she ever made was blessed in her home Monday, June 6th, with Jim, Jodi, Pastor Jim and Lynn Hicks, and our Mom’s weary hands resting over it. The shawl remained in our home, this time it was for her, it covered our Mom awaiting her safe and peaceful transition to meet our Lord and Savior. Job well done, faithful and loyal Christian servant. May our Mom’s love continue to be felt by many and you and your household be surrounded by the thought of a prayer shawl forevermore. We love you always Mom.