Judith E. Whitcraft aka “Judy Bug,” age 83, of Stevensville, MT passed away on December 26, 2023, at St. Patrick Hospital from a brain hemorrhage.
She was born May 5, 1941, in Bonner, MT to Edna Merle Linderman Bond (preceded in death) and Gordon Elias Bond (preceded in death).
She attended grade school in Bonner, MT and later Sentinel High School in Missoula, MT.
Judith met the love of her life, Lawrence D. Whitcraft (preceded in death) on a dairy farm, giving Judy her first kiss down by the creek. From there it was all over, and they married in 1957, having 3 children, and went on to settle in Stevensville MT.
Judy had a lot of grit and sand with a wicked sense of humor that came with a flick of her wrist and a twinkle in her eye. She was not afraid of hard work. She enjoyed driving school bus, working in the cafeteria, PCA at the Bitterroot Valley Living Center and a machinist at Turner Engineering, later moving to Hawaii to drive dump truck and water truck. While doing some of those jobs she loved to take care of her two beautiful gardens, canning the bountiful harvest that it produced. Judy was a big part of the Lone Rock community while her children were growing up, participating in fundraisers and volunteering at the grade school. Her hobbies were playing softball, tennis and bowling in her spry years and she loved watching them even more.
Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her whole life and she loved them dearly. She is survived by her brother Gary Bond, son Larry Curtis Whitcraft, daughter-in-law Donna Whitcraft, daughters Diana Marie Benson, son-in-law Bruce Benson and Jamie Lou Whitcraft- Calhoon. Grandchildren are Krystina Siragusa, Anthony Siragusa, Ashley Verbeckmoes, Lawrence Whitcraft, Tonya Monaco, Christopher Mayer, Kayla Benson, Katie Benson, Christina Benson, Leavella Calhoon, Brittany Calhoon, Cody Calhoon and great-grandchildren Caleb Smith, Shyanne Smith, Elijah Smith, Elizabeth Siragusa, Dawson Whitcraft, Morgan Whitcraft, Brayden, Rosie, Jaellyn, Gabby Benson, Tucker Blanchard, Holden Blanchard, Landon Blanchard, and Eleanor Calhoon-Mixon.
The Whitcraft Family will be having an open reception/gathering for friends and family who want to sit and reminisce at the Three Mile Community Center in Stevensville, MT on Saturday, May 18th at 1 p.m. Light food and drinks will be provided.
With all our love to Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and Friend, you will be missed! May you rest high on that mountain. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.