In memoriam: Judi Jacobs was vet tech, medical coder

FFRF Member Judi Jacobs, an FFRF volunteer, died at the University of Wisconsin Hospital on April 9, with her daughters, Jenni and Rachel, by her side.

She was born Aug. 1, 1950, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,, the only child of Al and Lillian (Brazda) Kopecky. One of her fondest childhood memories was doing a community theatre production of “My Fair Lady” with her parents. Throughout her childhood, she participated in multiple community theatre productions. 

She attended and graduated from Iowa State University. It was during this time that she met her future husband Tom Jacobs. They married on Aug. 18, 1973. After marriage, they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and then Madison, Wis.

After planning to study Russian at UW-Madison, Tom and Judi were “surprised” in 1978 by the arrival of twin daughters, Jennifer and Rachel. While raising their daughters, Judi took on several extra roles: seamstress for her children and dolls, Cat Mom, Girl Scout Cookie Mom and Ballet Mom.

As her daughters got older, Judi went back to school to become a veterinary technician and worked at Waunakee Vet Clinic. Then she went back again to become a medical coder at UW Hospital for many years until her retirement. 

In her retirement, she was happy beading, collecting dolls, reading, spending time with her cats and visiting with her grandchildren, Anya and Arun. She also went on a twice-in-a-lifetime trip to Russia.