Judith "Judy" E. Edler

Judith Elizabeth (McGlynn) Edler, 88, from Iola, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 10th, 2025. Judy was born April 22,1936 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin to the late Josephine Kestly McGlynn and Charles Grant McGlynn. She had a wonderful childhood, attending Lincoln High School and then UW Milwaukee, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She married Michael John Belson MD. (d. 1992) in Manitowoc in 1958, and thus began their journey together. Traveling to Chicago for his residency training, followed by a stint at Ft Polk, LA, they returned to Green Bay in 1968 where they settled down and Mike started his medical practice. 

It was a fun yet busy time for her raising a family in the late 60’s and early 70’s. She and Mike parted ways and it was during this time she met Joel Thomas Edler (d.2021) and remarried in 1978, welcoming his three sons to her family. Who can forget her working at Summerplace the plant store, and at H.C.Prange’s for all those discounts on clothes, riding the bus home with gallons of milk and loaves of bread every day for meals and school lunches, taking classes in Paranormal Experiences and then going to haunted houses and meeting interesting people? She loved all things horses, and truly enjoyed watching all of her children in all of their activities, often while crouched down behind a chair. Judy was happiest when her home was full of her children and their friends. Random chaos was the norm, and she loved watching everyone playing card games at the kitchen table, or playing not Marco Polo, but “Judy Edler!” in the backyard pool. She and Joel then eventually relocated to Iola, Wisconsin, and they both fell in love with the town and remained there the rest of their lives. 

While Joel prospered as a local businessman, collector and store owner, Judy blossomed as her family grew and grew. Living in “the house on the lake”, nothing made her happier than having her family visit her. Well, except maybe her long-standing job working for the Iola Police Department. She was always so excited to see us take a drive around the lake in Joel’s convertible to go deer spotting. Many of those who grew up in Iola remember her as their teacher in elementary school. Moving into “town” they bought The Iris Inn and ran a Bed and Breakfast for years. Judy was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She had the richest laugh, and she truly enjoyed laughing with her family. Judy loved reading, anything Boston Terrier or Cardinal related, all things Irish, bird feeders, word puzzles, and scary movies or novels.

Judith is survived by five of her children, Brian (Laurie) Belson, Bridget Belson, Patrick (Alison) Belson, Christopher (Sandi) Belson, and Molly Belson; three Edler stepsons, Joel Steven, Thomas(Jennifer Kulbeck), and Jamie; fourteen Belson grandchildren, Patrick (Emily), Connor(Miranda), Mollie, Matthew, Caitlyn, Erin, Kelsey, Liam, Grace, Emily, Charlie, Declan, Finnegan, and Selva, and five Belson great- grandchildren; John, Ford, Genevieve, Bronson, and Camden. 

She was preceded in death by an infant son Kevin, husbands Michael Belson Sr and Joel T. Edler, one son Michael Belson Jr (Shannon McMurtrey), and her parents Josephine and Charles McGlynn. 

Visitation Services will be held at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola, Wisconsin on Friday, February 21st from 1-3 pm, with Words of Remembrance at 2:30pm. Her final resting place will be Nicolet Memorial Gardens in Green Bay (Shrine of the Good Shepherd), where she will be laid to eternal rest. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials or donations be provided to the Iola Public Library, one of her favorite places to visit. The family would also like to thank the staff at Living Oaks Assisted Living in Iola, Theda Care Waupaca Emergency Room and especially the ICU staff at Theda Care Appleton for their compassionate care. Voie Funeral Home, 120 South Main St, PO Box 216, Iola, Wisconsin is assisting with the arrangements.