Paul John Spude Paul Spude, 73, passed to the loving hands of God peacefully on January 4, 2026, with his loving wife Julaine, hand in hand, also surrounded by his children and grandchildren, after a long journey with Parkinson’s Disease.
Paul was born October 22, 1952, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the first child of Eugene and Mary Ann (Destree) Spude. Paul married the love of his life, Julaine (LaCrosse) on May 8, 1971, at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Institute, Wisconsin. Paul and Julaine raised three beautiful children, Amy (Chris) Lautenbach of Fish Creek, WI, Matthew (Megan) of Nashotah, WI and Lora (Keith) Falish of DePere, WI. Paul cherished his grandchildren, Madeline, Gabriel, Lauren, Lydia, Ashlyn, Brooklyn and Peyton.
During his life together with Julaine, Paul worked in his father’s family business, Spude Construction, which was a proud and successful masonry construction business. His training, which started in his childhood, under the guidance of his US Marine Corp. Sargeant father, would help shape him into the diligent, detail oriented, respectful, and hard-working man; with broad shoulders and a huge heart, that he became to be. As Spude Construction continued to grow, Paul worked during the days in the family business, then worked 2nd shift at Bay Shipbuilding for a number of years, to support his growing family, and also to one day acquire Spude Construction, which he did in 1985. The family business continued its tradition of talented craftsmanship, exceptional customer service, ingenuity of problem solving, and most of all, utmost pride in his work. He had often said to customers as they thanked him for the beautiful work, “The Good Lord provides my medium, I merely piece it together”, in his ever humble way. Paul and Julaine together paved the way for what Spude Construction meant, Integrity.
Along with being a successful businessman, Paul’s talents and love for sports brought him to his endearing passion, high school football and basketball officiating. He was inspired and encouraged by numerous notable men, and started his next life endeavor, whistle around his neck, clenched in his teeth, doning his proud black and white striped uniform, he started his career that created another legacy, a legacy whose outreach is extremely broad and well respected. As his upbringing taught him, hard work, respectfulness, and being prideful in his craft, he excelled at officiating, and enjoyed his journey through the ranks. Officiating was not only a passion, it was a brotherhood, and a commitment to his partners, to which he was deeply devoted to. His shared life experiences with his fellow black and white striped brothers; not only in various gyms and on football fields across the entire state of Wisconsin; but also in various watering holes discussing “post game” analysis, the stuff that an entire book could be written about, was his love. His partners and officiating friends were an extension of family for Paul. He loved each and every one of them, always there for them if anything was ever needed. His passion and devotion to officiating, led him to be an advocate, teacher, and mentor to countless officials, coaches, and athletes alike. He wasn’t there to be intimidating, he was there to instruct and help athletes and coaches interpret rules of the game, sometimes with a wink of his eye, or polite smile, his knowledge was imparted on them. A member of the GBOA (Green Bay Officials Association) for 33 years, his accolades included state title appearances in football and basketball. He felt extremely proud being on Camp Randall Stadium turf, where his beloved Wisconsin Badgers called home. Likewise, tossing the opening tip-off at center court of the Kohl Center, his confidence beaming like a beacon, signaling that his determination had its rewards. For his achievements, Paul was inducted into the GBOA Hall of Fame in 2014, an honor he graciously accepted.
Paul loved his family. A devoted husband, dedicated father, a proud and loving grandfather, a never-to-be-replicated brother, beloved uncle, and dear friend to many. He enjoyed his vacations and excursions with family and friends, always appreciative of God’s creations, and of the company he was with.
Paul is survived by his loving wife, Julaine, of 54 years, his three children, seven grandchildren, eleven brothers and sisters, Annette (Ron) Hall, Sturgeon Bay; Pete (Linda) Spude, Sturgeon Bay; Rachel DeClark, Brussels; Donna (Don) Rudolph, Sturgeon Bay; Rita (Trevor) Balicke, Winnipeg, Canada; Joanne (Brett) Guilette, Brussels; Irene (Kevin) Lardinois, Hurley; John (Mary) Spude, Brussels; Jim (Donna) Spude, Beloit; Jane (Steve) Chaudoir, Rosiere; Jerry (Shannon) Spude, Brussels; sisters-in-law, Jean Denil-Kabitzke, Kewaunee; and Joyce (Zeno) Preimesberger, Algoma; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Barb (Gerald) Rouer, brothers-in-law Steve DeClark and Les Denil, father and mother-in-law, Mervin and Delores LaCrosse.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Institute with entombment in the St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call at the Forbes Funeral Home on Sunday, Jan. 11, from 2:00 – 6:30 pm. A prayer service is scheduled for 6:30 pm Sunday. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday, Jan. 12, from 10:00 am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name.
We would like to extend our deepest thanks to St. Croix Hospice for the compassionate and exceptional care they provided to our dad, as well as the incredible support they gave our mom during this time. A special thank-you to Krystal Clark, CNA — lovingly known as Dad’s favorite “girlfriend” — whose kindness, warmth, and care brought him so much comfort.
