Judith Ann (Janicke) MacAlpine, age 84, of Grand Rapids, MN, passed away from complications of heart valve surgery on Monday, April 13, 2026, at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

Judith Ann "Judy" was born June 1, 1941, in Minneapolis, MN to George and Irene (Graham) Janicke.  Judy was raised in Minneapolis where her father owned and operated two bakeries.  In 1946, her father sold his businesses and the family moved to Grand Rapids, MN where they established Janicke Bakery.  The family built a cabin on Lake Pokegama (Moose Point) in the late 40's.  Judy spent her summers at the lake and enjoyed, among other things, time with her neighbor friend JoEllen Lundell Lindman, navigating her dad's small boat on Lake Pokegama with a 2 ½ hp Johnson motor.

Judy graduated with the Class of 1959 from Grand Rapids High School.  She went on to attend College of St. Catherine in St. Paul for two years. She transferred and studied at the University of Minnesota where she was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority.  Judy graduated in 1963 with her bachelor's degree in mathematics education and she went on to earn her master's degree from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul.  Judy held the distinction of being one of the first women to earn an advanced degree in Mathematics Education.

Judy was a substitute teacher with many school districts.  She taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools for 25 years, first at Sanford Junior High School and the last 20 years at Edison High School. She was a longtime member of the Minneapolis Teachers Retirement Association.

On December 26, 1964, Judy was united in marriage to Kent MacAlpine at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, MN. They resided in Bloomington, MN from 1965 to 1998 and raised their two children, Sarah and Scott. In the summers they loved spending time at her parents' cabin on Lake Pokegama, and in the winter, they spent a week skiing in Colorado at their favorite ski area, Steamboat Springs.

In 1989 Judy and Kent built their retirement home on their Lake Pokegama property, and Judy spent most of her summers at their new home. Judy retired in 1998 from the Minneapolis Public Schools and they moved back to their home on Lake Pokegama full time.  In retirement she was active in AAUW, Northeast Chapter of Retired Teachers and was a member of the Morning Ladies Pokegama Golf League.  She was proud to have made a hole-in-one at Pokegama Golf Course and took great joy in reminding her husband he "never did get a hole-in-one and most likely never would."  Judy was passionate about the Grand Rapids Community and was proud of establishing and contributing for over 20 years to the Kent and Judy MacAlpine Fund as part of the Grand Rapids Community Fund.

Judy travelled well, having visited each state.  Judy and Kent made several trips to Europe, three cruises, and traveled to China in 2002.  Her favorite country she travelled to was Germany.  They continued their ski trips out west.  For 10 years, they spent a week at the Rivera Maya area of Mexico as well as meeting friends from Grand Rapids in Cozumel.  In the spring, they spent 25 years at Hot Springs Village in Arkansas where they enjoyed golfing with her sorority friends and going to Oaklawn Horse Racing Track, where she always bet $2.00 on the favorite horse to show!

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Irene Janicke; and her brother, George "Phil" Janicke.  Judy is survived by her husband Kent of nearly 62 years; daughter Sarah Granger of Bloomington, MN; son Scott MacAlpine of Grand Rapids, MN; grandchildren Sydney and James Granger; sister-in-law Carole Janicke of Applegate, CA; double cousin Jerry and Diane Janicke of Albuquerque, NM; 5 nephews and 2 nieces.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Grand Rapids, MN.  Father Blake Rozier will officiate.  Burial and Prayers of Committal will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, MN. Memorials in Judy's memory may be directed to the St. Joseph Catholic School, Grand Rapids, MN or the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation.

A Celebration of Life Gathering is being planned for July 2, 2026, at the Pokegama Golf Course, with details to follow.