Judy A. Valenti

PENCE, Wis. - Judy A. Valenti, 55, of Pence, died unexpectedly Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, at home.

The former Judy Rice was born Jan. 18, 1959, in Ironwood, Mich., daughter of the late Rollin and Toni (Peterson) Rice of Upson, and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley in 1977. She attended Gogebic Community College and received an associate's degree in medical transcription, then moved to Milwaukee, where she was employed as a nurse's aide. Returning to Upson in 1981, she worked at Whitecap Mountain in various capacities for 23 years.

Judy married Rick Valenti on July 5, 1997, in Upson. Together with Rick, she purchased the Do Drop In on Highway 77 in Pence in 2007, operating it up until her untimely passing.

Judy was a member of the Hurley Chamber of Commerce, White Thunder Riders and the Iron County ATV Association, and spearheaded the Backbone to Judy's Ride for Cancer.

Surviving are her husband, Rick; son, Anthony, at home; daughter, Jessica (Scott) Heiden, Upson; two grandchildren, R.J. and Adam Heiden; two brothers, Charles (Linda) Rice, Merrill, and Jerry (Janet) Rice, Upson; sister, Carole Walker-Rice, Shawano; aunt, Carol "Beaver" Peterson, Upson; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dennis Lipske (Darcy Zandi), Ironwood, Tom and Donna Marx, Montana, William Valenti, Upson, Joann and Glenn Stenroos, Ironwood, and Chris and Tina Valenti, Wis .; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her parents, Judy was predeceased by a brother, Edwin Rice; and sister, Sherry Lipske, in 1983.

A gathering of family and friends in celebration of Judy's life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with a time for sharing of memories at 11 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood.

Luncheon will follow at the Do Drop In in Pence.

Spring burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Upson.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc., Ironwood. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

"When you die, it does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live." - Stuart Scott