Judy A. Grossnickle

Judith Ann (Milligan) Grossnickle, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and community member, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025, in Manhattan, Kansas at the age of 78.
Born July 6, 1946, at Camp Lee, Virginia, to Aubrey Vaugh Milligan and Jean Catherine (Andreson) Milligan, Judy grew up in a military family and lived in many places across the world, including France, Florida, California's Presidio, and Kansas. She graduated from Luckey High School and went on to serve as a civil servant at Fort Riley until her retirement in 1995.
On February 11, 1967, Judy married the love of her life, Galen Dennis Grossnickle (aka Dennis Grossnickle), with whom she shared 58 wonderful years of marriage. Together they raised two children, Joseph Grossnickle and Angelique (Grossnickle) Reilly, and were blessed with six grandchildren and their wives-Alex and Ryan & Michaiah (Jones) Grossnickle, Dylan & Taylor (Richert), Jason, Taryn, and Loren Reilly-and two great-grandchildren, Caden and Oliver Reilly.
Judy was an active and passionate member of her community. Her heart was deeply rooted in her Catholic faith as a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ogden, Kansas. She also devoted her time to numerous organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Society of Colonial Dames, the Daughters of the American Colonists, and the Catholic Lumen Series.
Judy's greatest joy and lifelong passion was square dancing. A proud member of the Lone Wranglers Square Dance Club and was inducted into the Kansas Square Dance Hall of Fame, she championed the activity at local, regional, and national levels-attending countless national conventions. She was honored for her significant contributions to the International Square Dance Callers Association (CALLERLAB) and served as an advocate and enthusiastic promoter of the square dance community.
In addition to dancing, she found joy in traveling with family and friends, often touring cities by Segway with Dennis. She also loved scrapbooking, tending to flowers, and volunteering-particularly at Via Christi Hospital, where she brought comfort and companionship to many. Judy also served as the former president of the 60+ Club and was a spirited member of NARFE.
She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her loyalty, and the phrase she often shared with a smile: "Don't look at my cards." Fiercely loyal to the people and causes she loved, Judy's legacy is one of joy, service, and spirited celebration.
She is survived by her husband Dennis; her children Joe and Ange; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her sister Nina (Milligan) Perry; and many beloved nieces and nephews: Carolyn Mixon, Lee Mixon, Jeffery Mixon, Chris Grossnickle, David Grossnickle, Cindy Grossnickle, Jennifer Collins, Joseph Collins, Joshua Collins, Holly (Perry) Gardener, Brad Perry, Emily (Mahan) Perry, Jessica Jackson, and Eric Jackson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Susan, and her brother Aubrey.
A public funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ogden, Kansas. A Rosary and viewing will be held the evening prior, Sunday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m. at Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, the Rosary will be held at 7:00p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church or the Alzheimer's Association. Should friends and loved ones choose to send flowers, they will be received with gratitude and donated to residents at Via Christi Village, where Judy spent her final four years.
The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502 is assisting the family with service arrangements. ymlfuneralhome.com