The final chapter is an adventure

ALGOMA – Jim Baudhuin and Judy (Cepek) Benkowski have known each other since they were walking the hallways of St. Mary’s School in Algoma 75 years ago.

But no one could have predicted that one day they’d be trading stories, sharing adventures and ultimately collaborating to create a fictional book series after losing their spouses.

“Neither of us ever wrote a book before we started this crazy venture early last year,” Jim said. “Kind of a strange new career move for a couple of octogenarians, huh?”

Since publishing their first book last fall, the two widowed friends have cranked out three more — and are already working on a fifth.

After finishing high school (Judy in 1956, Jim a semester later in early ‘57), the two went their separate ways. Jim did a six-month stint in the Army before enrolling in Marquette University that fall. He married his high school sweetheart Pat Jadin in Algoma in 1960.

Two years later, Judy married Dave Benkowski in Algoma. Judy’s brother, John “Jack” Cepek, a 1952 AHS graduate, introduced the two. Jack Cepek, who dedicated his career to athletics and education, passed away at 91 years old Oct. 11.

“Jack got his first teaching job in Wisconsin Rapids,” Judy said of her brother. “I was teaching here in Green Bay. Jack called and said, ‘I have a real good friend in Wisconsin Rapids who is Polish and Catholic.’ So we went on a blind date.”

The Benkowskis lived in Wisconsin Rapids for about three years before moving to Green Bay, where Dave started Benkowski Distributing. At the time, he was youngest sole proprietor of an Anheuser-Busch distributorship in the United States. Judy and Dave had six children together, two girls and four boys.

Meanwhile, the Baudhuins had four, two boys and two girls.

On May 19, 2018, Judy’s husband Dave Benkowski passed away at the age of 85. Then, on Oct. 18, 2020, Jim’s wife Pat Baudhuin took her last breath at the age of 82.

The sudden realization that life can change in an instant had Jim reflecting on questions his grandchildren had asked him, like what it was like growing up in small town, how he and Pat met and what early married life was like.

“I decided to write a family biography, so that when I was gone the grandkids wouldn’t wonder about all the things we wished we could go back and ask our grandparents,” Jim said.

Since Judy was his wife’s best friend in grade and high school, he decided to reach out to her for insights. And once he finished the biography, Judy proofread it. That meeting led to a Brewers game, trips to Door County and some strange coincidences like finding both parents’ wedding records on the same page of an old deteriorating book in the office of a little church north of Brussels.

“We said we weren’t dating, we were having adventures,” Jim said. “Well, after too many strange adventures, Judy jokingly said, ‘Gee, we should write these in a book.’”

The journey begins

Last year, while watching a Brewers game on TV, Jim scratched out a couple of pages about two widowed strangers meeting in the Appleton airport on a foggy afternoon. Judy was on vacation at the time, so he emailed it with a comment, “There! I started it. You finish it.”

They bounced ideas around and settled on Kathy and Scott, two fictitional characters who exhibit some of the same characteristics as the two writers, who both grew up in Algoma. Throughout the summer of 2024, the first novel, “The Aztec Pendant,” took shape. The picture selected for the cover is an Aztec calendar pendant, which Jim purchased in Mexico and gave to Judy. It plays a pivotal role in the story.

“When the female character in the book is facing a very difficult decision, she rises early in the morning and goes to Crescent Beach to watch the sun rise while she wrestles with the problem, something Judy did as a kid to help resolve personal issues,” Jim said. “And she still does.”

“I just love Algoma,” Judy said. “Growing up there, such a wholesome little community. We knew everyone’s house, and their parents. It was like a great big family. Life was so simple.”

Book two, “The Tuscan Odyssey,” is set in Italy; book three, “The Mount Etna Legacy,” leads to a wild career change after meeting a CIA agent and book four, “The Couriers,” expands on the previous story as the same characters travel around Europe before being trapped in Russia.

Each book is about 75,000-80,000 words and 300 pages or so in 6-inch by 9-inch softcovers.

The duo has sold books throughout the United States, Canada and to readers in at least three foreign countries. They’re especially pleased with in-person pickups at Yardstick Books in Algoma.

“Our first batch, Heidi (Raak, the owner) sold out in a week,” Jim said.
New opportunities

After exiting what she called a tunnel of grief, Judy said she’s as enthusiastic about life as ever.

“Every day is priceless, with new opportunities,” she said. “If you don’t pray in the morning, it seems like you muddle through the day. When you pray, you’re in tune with what God wants you to do. It’s a more loving day.”

She said she reads her Bible, and then reflects on what she’s read before journaling daily prayers.

“I have a vision that one day I’ll publish a book called, ‘Short Prayers Work Too,’” Judy said.

As for Jim, has their friendship helped in his healing journey?

“Immeasurably,” he said. “I guess we’re as close as you can be without being married.”

A retired CPA who finished his career as vice president of a finance company in Milwaukee, Jim lives in New Berlin. Judy lives in Green Bay, where she walks several miles a day, attends Mass most mornings and gathers with friends.
Jim said his family loves Judy.

“My daughter said, ‘She makes you smile, dad,’ and I said, ‘yeah, that’s good,’” he said.

How many more books are in the works?

“When we’re finished with one, we’re already into the next one. At this time I don’t see it ending,” Judy said. “But I know some day, it will.”