Judy Arlene Baize

Judy Arlene Koehn Baize was born September 14, 1941, to Lloyd and Elizabeth Koehn, in Strong City, KS. After a very brief battle with cancer, the angels took her Home while family sat by her side, on January 24, 2026.
Mom's growing up years were spent in Rich Hill, MO. We children often heard stories and memories of those much-loved years. At the age of 14, Mom was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955, by Min. Harvey Yost at Rich Hill, MO. Mom remained true to her vows all her life.
When Mom was 18, the family moved to Winton, CA, where she met and later married our Dad, Norman Baize, on March 15, 1961. Four children were born: Philip, Jill, Patrick, and Bethany.
In 1967, our parents went to El Mirage, AZ, to serve as missionaries. Those years in Arizona were very much of a highlight to them. They forged many long-lasting friendships that they treasured. They lived there until May of 1981, at which time they moved back to California, attending the Livingston congregation. In their later years, they transferred their membership to Ballico, CA, where they again made many friends of all ages.
Our mother was a great conversationalist, being a friend to all regardless of walk of life or age, and always believing the best of everybody.
Mom was a light-hearted, easygoing person who loved to laugh. She loved quotes and often used them to teach us children. Mom enjoyed her years working as a CNA at Grace Home, and later working as a home health aid.
Mom loved to cook and enjoyed having people over for meals. Serving others was her fulfillment. Mom's philosophy was one of practical simplicity. In reflecting on Mom's life, we children remember our mother living a life of deep contentment.
After our Dad's death in August of 2022, Mom continued to enjoy life although she missed Dad greatly. She deeply appreciated the Ballico congregation and her many friends who helped her through the lonely times after Dad passed.
Judy's survivors include her children: Philip and Kathleen, Atwater, CA; Jill and David Hiebert, Carpenter, SD; Patrick and Sylvia Baize, Dewey, AZ; Bethany and Marc Schrock, Shippensburg, PA; 17 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; siblings: Loretta Yost, Iroquois, SD; Sherwood Koehn, Wickiup, AZ; sisters-in-law Virginia Koehn, Blue Springs, MO, Alice Koehn, Atwater, CA; Lyn Giesbrecht , Atwater, CA; special family friends; Bill and Amelia Koehn, Jason and Karen Jantz, Marvin and Jean Friesen, ShayLynn Koehn.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, and her parents