Mrs. Judy M. Wakeman

Judy M. Wakeman Wixom Lake and Saginaw, Michigan Loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many was called home to her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at MyMichigan Medical Center with her family at her side. Age 84 years. Judy May Satchell was born on April 6, 1941, at home on the family farm in Frankenmuth, Michigan to the late Nelson David and Margaret Elvina (Korbein) Satchell. Judy met the love of her life, Harold C. Wakeman, while working as the popcorn girl at the Wakeman family theatre, the Ken Theatre, in Frankenmuth. The two were married on June 13, 1959, in Birch Run, Michigan. Together they purchased the former Gugel Funeral Home in Saginaw in 1965, then selling Wakeman Funeral Home to their sons in 1999. After 48 years of marriage, Harold predeceased her on March 17, 2008, in Sarasota, Florida. Raised on the family farm, Judy loved her animals, especially her horse, Star, and later her house cat, Daisy, who was her companion after Harold’s passing. Judy was the consummate homemaker and mother. She fiercely loved and provided for her family as a trusted and loving wife to Harold, and caretaker for their five children. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were on the receiving end of her greatest love. She enjoyed fishing on Wixom Lake, playing Yahtzee, coloring, watching Western TV shows so long as she could figure out the remote control, shopping, and never missed a sporting event of her Michigan and Florida kids and grandkids. She was known among her family and friends for her outstanding cooking and baking. She loved to can tomatoes to hand out to her family, and baked several pounds of homemade Christmas cookies that were delivered to many local parochial grade school teachers and pastors over the years. Whether she prepared dinners for five people or 30, she always made enough for twenty more, which her grandkids and neighbors got to enjoy “Judy’s Kitchen.” Judy and Harold shared time between their cottage on Wixom Lake and their home in Florida. She enjoyed her coffees with her restaurant friends at the lake. She and Harold became close friends with countless families wherever they went. The Warren and Marilyn Wood family, formerly of Saginaw, and the Bob and Diana Walker family of Florida became their exceptionally close extended families. Judy was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, and cherished her shut-in visits with her pastor, the Rev. Kurt Brandon. She and Harold were one of the “first families” to help start Valley Lutheran High School in 1977. Surviving are four children and their spouses, Brian Wakeman, Tracy (Bob) Patterson, Rodney (Johanna) Wakeman, and Melanie (Mike) Beall, all of Saginaw; nine grandchildren, Bryce (Megan) Wakeman, Madison (Trevor) Jenks, Meredith (Luke) Luedeman, Brandon Wakeman (Genevieve), Keaton Schotts (Samantha), Taylor (MSG. Greg) Estrada, Kayla (Matt) Wittig, and Cade and Dylan Beall; 10 great-grandchildren, Brant, Jayde, Layne, and Brynn Wakeman, Maletta and Rhys Jenks, Lawrence Luedeman, Lulu Schotts, Liam Estrada, and Ellie Wittig; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dale and Sue Wakeman; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She was predeceased by a daughter, Toni, sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Russell Ross, and brother and sister-in-law, James and Bernice Satchell. The family would like to thank her medical team, longtime physician, Dr. Bhrama Savrepalli, MD for her extraordinary care of Judy over the years, and Dr. Arup Sarkar, MD and the incredible 4th Floor North staff at MyMichigan Medical Center, all who went out of their way to help keep Judy comfortable in her final days. Funeral service will take place 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church 600 Court St., Saginaw. The Rev. Kurt Brandon will officiate with private burial in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the Wakeman Funeral Home, Inc. 1218 N. Michigan Ave. on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., on Friday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. and then at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorials may be given to the Valley Lutheran High School Foundation -- Harold and Judy Wakeman Scholarship Fund or Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

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Mrs. Judy M. Wakeman

April 6, 1941 - October 15, 2025