Judith "Judy" Eden

Judith (Judy) Murray Bickel Eden passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, at the age of 86, at St. Luke's Hospital. She was surrounded by family. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 8, at Goettsch Funeral Home in Anamosa from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The church service will be Friday, January 9, at First Congregational Church in Anamosa at 11:00 a.m.

She was born in Ollie, Iowa, to Thomas Murray and Madge (Thompson) Murray. Judy graduated from Blakesburg High School, where she was a standout defensive 6-on-6 basketball player, earning all-state honors two years in a row. She received first-team all-state honors in 1956 and second-team all-state honors in 1957. After high school, she declined an offer to join a barnstorming women's basketball team. She worked at Rockwell Collins and retired after more than 35 years of dedicated service. Following her retirement, she continued working at Eden's Ltd. in an office support role.

Judy was a devoted member of First Congregational Church, where she attended for many years. She received the Outstanding Community Service in Religion Award. She especially enjoyed providing rides to others for medical appointments. She loved boating, traveling, gardening, and attending and watching Hawkeye sports. She also cherished her weekly outings with friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; seven siblings; her husbands, Edwin Bickel and Allen Eden; and her daughter, Terri Bickel McConaughy. She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Bickel and Kevin Eden (Karen); her daughter, Michelle Eden Winders (Lary); her son-in-law, Larry McConaughy (Tiffany Day); her sister-in-law, Lou Ann Bickel Sands (Duane); six grandchildren, Sarah McConaughy Brotnov (Lars), Shawna McConaughy Christie (Greg), Caleb Bickel, Caitlin Bickel, Matt Eden, and Erika Eden; and five great-grandchildren, Sondre Brotnov, Lars Lukas Brotnov, Karl Kristian Brotnov, Gudmund Brotnov, and Olivia Christie.

The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff at the St. Luke's Hospital for their compassionate care during this incredibly difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the First Congregational Church Memorial Fund in Anamosa or Camp Courageous in Monticello

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