Judy Stephas

Visitation:Friday, July 4, 20142:00 PM until 5:00 PMMartin-Mattice Funeral HomeRuthven, IAService:Saturday, July 5, 201410:30 AMTrinity Lutheran ChurchMallard, IA In Loving Memory ofJudy StephasSERVICETrinity Lutheran ChurchMallard, IowaSaturday, July 5, 10:30 A.M.CLERGYRev. Nicholas ThackeryMUSICBeth Stephas ~ VocalistTammy Johnson ~ VocalistCindy Schultz ~ OrganistINTERMENTSilver Lake CemeteryAyrshire, IowaJudith Ann (Knuth) Stephas, daughter of Edmund and Alma (Lorenz) Knuth, was born on December 2, 1937 in Decatur, Illinois. Judy was baptized into the Christian faith on December 26th, 1937 at St. John Church in Decatur and confirmed on March 18, 1951. Judy attended school at St. John's Lutheran School where her father and step mother, Esther, were teachers. She graduated from Decatur Macon High School.Following graduation, Judy was employed at an insurance agency in Decatur. She met her future husband, Leo Stephas, at a local dance. Leo and Judy were united in marriage on November 12, 1960. Shortly after their wedding they moved from Decatur to Ruthven, Iowa to begin farming. Judy was a devoted wife and she and Leo were blessed with four children.Judy's life revolved around caring for, and spending time with, her family and friends. She looked forward to the summers when the extended family would gather at the camp grounds at Lake Okoboji. She loved playing games and cards and will be remembered by her family for her skills at Taboo. Judy and Leo enjoyed the company of their many friends in two area card clubs. When her children were young, Judy had a booth at the Clay County Fair, where she sold patches that she made throughout the year. For the nine years that Judy had her booth, the entire family looked forward to the adventure of fair week each fall. After her children were grown, Judy worked for S.N.C. in Emmetsburg for ten years.When Judy became a grandmother, her life brightened even more. She enjoyed spoiling each and every one of her grandchildren, always making sure she had their favorite snacks on hand when they came to visit. Her grandchildren looked forward to time with Grandma baking cookies, making crafts and picking mulberries.Judy will be remembered as a loving and caring person, always available and willing to help others. She was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Ayrshire, Iowa. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years and was the church coordinator for Aid Association for Lutherans.Judy passed away on Monday, June 30, 2014 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 76. She was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother; her brother Donald Knuth; her brother Melvin Knuth and his wife Mary; her brother Ted Knuth and his wife Penny; her sister Rhoda Knuth and her sister-in-law Ann Knuth.She is survived by her husband, Leo Stephas of Ruthven, Iowa; her children Ed & Beth Stephas of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Susan and Steve Johnson of Southlake, Texas, Sheri and Dan Rosacker of Forest City, Iowa and Don and Betty Stephas of Colorado Springs, Colorado; her 14 grandchildren and five great grandchildren Grant and Sarah Stephas and their daughters Sophie and Leah, Amanda and Adam De Lancey and their daughters Shaylee and Zoey, Rebekah and Nate Ross, Noah Stephas, Jennifer and Jacob Shurbet, Megan Johnson, Nicole Johnson, Andrew Rosacker, Kyle Rosacker, Hannah Rosacker, Christian Stephas, Cameron Stephas, Andrea Poppe and her son, Colton and Corey Wiggins; her sister Dorothy Kennedy; her brother Eugene Knuth; her brother William Knuth and his wife Eileen. Judy will be dearly missed and her legacy will live on in the memory of her many family and friends, even as she lives on in the company of her Lord.Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home