Judith C. "Judy" Duda

1941 - 2024

Judith "Judy" C. Duda

July 29, 1941-September 5, 2024

Judith "Judy" C. Duda, 83, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away with loving family by her side on September 5, 2024 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.

A Celebration of Life service for both Bob and Judy will take place from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Friday, September 27, 2024 at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapels, 126 3rd St. NE, Mason City, IA 50401. Burial will take place afterwards at Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.

Judy was born July 29, 1941 in Buffalo Center, Iowa; daughter of Alvin Johan and Dorothy Emma (Liverca) Jensen. She graduated from Mason City High School with the class of 1959. Judy married Robert "Bob" Duda November 21, 1959 in Mason City. In 1960, she graduated from La James Beauty College. She worked at Nesbits Beauty Salon in Clear Lake until the end of 1961. She then began working as a nurse's assistant at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. When she left the hospital, she worked at Adrianna's Beauty Salon, then the Animal Medical Hospital, and finally at Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa again where she retired in 2010.

Judy and Bob spent many days out on the golf course, although she spent time golfing with her friends Iola and Carol as well. She enjoyed bowling and playing competitive card games, especially Nertz, with her sisters-in-law, Judy Ann and JoAnn. Judy loved tending to her vast garden and enjoyed playing solitaire or putting together puzzles on her computer. She passed the time watching Law & Order and Blue Bloods. She is fondly remembered for taking in strays, whether a person or animal, they were always welcome in her home. She looked for the good in everyone she met and accepted everyone without judgment. She loved her friends and family unconditionally. Family meant everything to her and she made a huge feast for everyone to enjoy every holiday. Everyone was always welcome and seeing everybody together in her home was very fulfilling. She was an avid bingo player and in her later years, enjoyed sneaking up to Diamond Jo Casino. Her true passion in life was helping others; her family remembers her going out of her way to help victims of the 2008 flood. She loved her job and being a nurse's assistant was very rewarding. She nursed a multitude of people back to good health and made many lifelong connections working at Mercy especially on 4 West.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Michael (Amy) Duda of Mason City, Daniel (Meri Walden) Duda of Sioux City, and Shannon (Harley Hill-Aiello) Duda of Mason City; grandchildren, Louis Duda, Jamie (Brandyn Schade) Duda, David (Liz) Duda, Aleah (Cedro) Duda , Lindsey (Cameron) Sprecher, Kellie (Sterling) True; great-grandchildren, Jordy, Jada, Alekk, Marek, Rilynn, Ryker, Rowyn, Hayes, and Oaklyn; brother, Jeff (JoAnn) Jensen; sisters, Dari Marino and Holly Bradbury; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family members and numerous friends.

Preceding her in death are her husband of 60 years, Bob; parents, Alvin and Dorothy; and sister-in-law, Judy Ann (Fred) Hackbart and Jeannette (Marshall) Nicholson as well as her dear friend Verna Stumo and close neighbor Bonnie King.