Judy Pfaff Obituary

Judy Pfaff, of Appleton, passed away Friday, July 4, 2025, at Appleton Area Health Care Center at the age of 93.

Celebration of life services will be held Wednesday, July 9, 2025, from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton with a prayer service at 2:30 PM. Pastor Gary Mills will officiate, and burial will be in the Appleton City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be designated by the family at a later date.

Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home - Vaala Chapel in Appleton. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

Judith Irene (Nysetvold) Pfaff was born in Twin Valley, MN, to Ole and Mina (Aasgaard) Nysetvold. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. After graduating from Twin Valley High School in 1948, she attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.

On May 10, 1952, she married Marlow (Mike) Pfaff. They moved to Appleton in 1956, where they raised four children. Judy worked at Pioneer PBS in Appleton, eventually becoming Assistant General Manager before retiring.

A talented musician, she played organ and piano throughout her life, including decades at Zion Lutheran church in Appleton and later sharing her love of music at Apple Ridge and the Care Center. She loved gardening, cooking for family gatherings, sewing, knitting, & crocheting, and spending time at the family lake home on Battle Lake. She loved Appleton and kept active in numerous groups including Appleton Music Club, Bridge Card Club, Zion Lutheran Church Women (ZLCW), Ladies Golf Club, Meals on Wheels, and others. Judy also shared her passions making quilts for family members, sewing for patrons, faithfully doing crossword puzzles & watching Jeopardy, and preparing chicken and the best potato salad (ever) at the lake.

She is survived by her sons, John (Jeanette) Pfaff of Appleton, Karl (Betty) Pfaff of Granite Falls, and Kurt (Anne) Pfaff of Three Rivers, CA; daughter, Karen (Mike) Paul of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Kelly Sjerven, Russell Pfaff (Drea Cook), Ben (Becca) Pfaff, Lindsay (Craig) Listul, Lauren (Joel) Klaahsen, Kindra (Jesse) Wilson, Henry Pfaff, Katie Pfaff, MacKenzie Paul (Andrew Hood) and Eli (Mercedes) Paul; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy (Bob) Hammer; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Mike; 4 brothers; 4 sisters; great-granddaughter, Evelyn Grace Hood; and grandson-in-law, Richard Sjerven.