Judith "Judy" Gauthier

1940 - 2026

Owatonna - Judith (Judy) Gauthier passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026. She was born on July 19, 1940, in Hancock, Michigan, to Harry and Eleanore (Ryan) Warmington.

Judy grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a place she loved and often shared stories about. After high school, she attended nursing school and began her career as a registered nurse at the hospital in Hancock, where she met the man who would become her husband. On February 17, 1962, Judy married Edward "Bud" Gauthier, beginning an adventure that spanned nearly 50 years, three states, and four newly constructed homes. They eventually settled in Owatonna at 50 Fairway Place, where they lived together until Bud's passing in 2012.

Judy created a home that became a second home to dozens of her children's friends-a place filled with laughter, swimming, first-generation video games, Totino's Party Pizzas, French fries, and the occasional mischief. She had a lifelong passion for romance and mystery novels, collecting hundreds of books over the years. Judy also loved music, especially Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond, and was thrilled to see both in concert. Her greatest joy was decorating and perfecting her homes, including painting and repainting ceramics to match her ever-changing décor.

Later in life, Judy joined Federated Insurance as an assistant in the Medical Claims department. She enjoyed her work but cherished the friendships she built with her co-workers. Judy retired in 2012.

After retirement, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at her home. In 2021, she moved to Ecumen Countryside, where she lived in a cozy apartment for the remainder of her days.

Judy is survived by her six children: Sue (Joe) Vanden Broek; Beth (Brett) Gauthier-Jenkin; Jay; Greg (Kim); Gary (Barry Harmon); and Ellie Tangren. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Mike (Liz) Lawson; Josh (Allyson) Jensen; Cody (Peter O'Connor) Jensen; Matt Svestka; Jacob Gauthier; Logan Gauthier; Olivia Tangren; and Caroline Tangren; as well as four great-grandchildren: Rory and Beckett Lawson, and Graham and Nora Jensen. Judy is further survived by her sisters-in-law, Betty Kay Fish and Mary Pearce.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud; her parents; her brother, Robert Warmington; her in-laws; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Friends are invited to greet the family from 9:00 - 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Rd, Owatonna, MN) followed by a service at the funeral home at 11:00 AM, and burial at Forest Hills Cemetery.

For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.megercares.com.