Obituary of Judith Ann Semler

Judith Ann Semler, 77. Born October 23, 1941 in Buffalo, New York to Herman and Mae Estelle Kuehling. Died January 10, 2019 in Edina, Minnesota. Judy was a lifelong teacher, educator, and supporter of education. Her work in gifted education in Hopkins and Spring Lake Park from the early 1980's to her official retirement in 2006 touched the lives of hundreds of Minnesota teachers, parents, and students. She continued to teach educators as an adjunct faculty member for Hamline University until her passing. Even earlier, she fostered a curiosity and love of learning in her children, Steve, Stacy, and Shelley. Judy passed her playful, inquisitive sense of humor on to them and to her five grandchildren. Though diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in 2004, Judy approached her cancer with a practical "keep on doing what I need to do" attitude. She survived with the disease for more than 14 years, far exceeding the 2-5 year median survival rate. Judy relied on her friends and treasured the time she spent getting together with them. She and her friends and family members traveled to places as far away as Tanzania, Dubai, Cuba, Thailand, and China during her retirement. Judy also loved to spend time closer to home at the Science Museum of Minnesota, Hopkins and Robbinsdale school events, and family picnics at regional parks. A celebration of Judy's life will be held 4-6 PM, Sunday, January 27, at Brookview Community Center, 316 Brookview Pkwy. S., Golden Valley, MN 55426. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hopkins Educational Foundation or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Though her struggle may be over, Judy's memory and work lives on in the many lives she touched. Because we knew her, we have been changed for good.