Judith May "Judy" Stai

Judith "Judy" May Stai, 82, of Bemidji, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, December 11, 2025 at St. Philip's Catholic Church in Bemidji with Father Josh Salonek officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Bemidji, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji.
Judith "Judy" May (Rice) Stai was born May 25, 1943, in Bemidji, MN, to Kenneth Roy and Ruth Erva (Lamoreaux) Rice. The youngest of four children, Judy attended school at St. Philips through 8th grade and graduated from Bemidji High School in 1961. She began her 50-year banking career as part of the OJT program and was employed by Northern National Bank. Over the years, she worked at several banks including Red River National, Northland Federal/TCF, and First National Bank Bemidji, where she retired in 2006. She met Merlyn Jon Stai during her tenure at Northern National Bank, and they were married June 15, 1963, in Bemidji. They lived for several years in North Dakota before moving back to Bemidji in 1980. They were married for 52 years before Merlyn passed away in 2015. Judy was a lifetime member of St Philip's Catholic Church and volunteered in several capacities for many years. Judy also enjoyed gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and spending time with her family.
Judy is survived by daughters, Donna Anderson of Fargo, and Jennifer (Karl) Leisenheimer of Bemidji; grandson Andrew Anderson, Fargo; granddaughters Emily (Adam) Braaten, Fargo; Hayley Leisenheimer, Fargo; and Hannah Leisenheimer, Gonvick; great-granddaughter, Matilda Braaten; her beloved cat, Brandi Alexandra; sister Leora "Tiny" Heibel, Plymouth; and several nieces and nephews.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merlyn; sisters Joan Pleger and Roberta "Bobbie" Gustafson; and best friend of 78 years, Diane (Morrissette) Giese, of Michigan, in January 2025.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Philip's School Scholarship Fund or to Great River Rescue in honor of Brandi Alexandra.