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Judy Finstad Obituary
FINSTAD
Judy A. (Walden) Finstad, age 74, passed away March 1, 2009 at Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV.
She was born January 17, 1935 in Phoenix, AZ to George and Olive Walden, the youngest of four children. Shortly thereafter she moved with her family to San Diego, CA and then to Escondido, CA where she attended grade schools and graduated from Escondido Union High School in 1952.
Judy married Dean Schwarz on June 11, 1950. Two children, Bob and (Elizabeth) Diane were born from this marriage. The family resided in Escondido and then Las Vegas until Judy and Dean were divorced in 1966.
Judy married Larry O. Finstad on December 2, 1967 in Palm Springs, CA. The family resided in Escondido until 1969 when they moved to Reno, NV.
Judy‘s first job was in her father‘s tax accounting office in Escondido, CA. In later years she was a Deputy Sheriff, Secretary to theVice President of Aircraft Tool Industries, Secretary to Bill Rudd Motors and 20 years as the Main Cashier for Washoe Medical Center, from which she retired in 1997.
Number one in Judy‘s life was her family and spending as much time with them as she could. She always enjoyed gardening and setting out new flowers every spring. Her love of photography leaves us with millions of photos she so diligently cataloged over the years. She and Larry enjoyed entering their antique cars in many different car shows and loved camping in their motorhome. After Larry taught her to love fishing in many Nevada, California and Washington lakes and rivers, she often caught more fish than he did.
Mom was a natural-born beauty, statuesque and graceful. There was always a certain innocence about her which she never lost, and she was always a gentle lady. Mom remained very strong in mind and spirit, but living with Hemachromotosis for all of her life finally took its toll. She never wanted to leave us, but a lady always knows when to leave.
She is survived by her two children, Bob Schwarz of Reno; daughter, E. Diane (Willis) Brown of Metaline, WA; granddaughter, Kari (Bill) Rayson of Gillette, WY; grandson, Cameron Webb of Spokane, WA; great-grandson, Ethan Webb of Adrian, OR; brother, Donald (Rosanna) Walden of LaMirada, CA; beloved Westie companion, Duncan; adoptive daughter (niece), Suzanne Bryant of Reno; adoptive daughter, BB-Dianne Hicks of Perth, Western Australia; mother-in-law, Lorraine (Finstad) Tuffs of Perham, MN; brother-in-law, Ron (Carol) Finstad of Wilton, WI; Travis (Madaly) of Plymouth MN and Marsha (Mark) Humphreys of Rapid City, SD and many very special nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, Larry Finstad of Reno; her parents, George and Olive Walden of Escondido, CA; long, dearly missed sister, Delores Rudd of Reno; her brother, David Walden of Escondido, CA; sister-in-law, Judy (Ronald) Payne of Brownwood, TX and adoptive son (nephew), Michael Bryant of Reno.
A celebration of Judy‘s life will begin on Sunday, March 8, at 1 p.m. in the Circle of Commitment room at Mountain View Cemetery, Reno. Following this memorial, everyone is welcome at the Finstad family home at 3975 Garlan Lane, Reno.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Judy Finstad
Kenneth Sloan
June 6, 2025
My mother Deborah Sloan best friend Judy Finstad
Dianne (BB) Hicks
April 15, 2009
I met Mum Judy on my first trip to the States in 1990, about 6 months after I lost my own mum.
The first time that I met her she welcomed me to Reno and then into her home, I had come to Reno with her daughter Diane
Mum Judy welcomed me into her home and open her heart to me I will never forget how beautiful she was her sense of humour, so well dressed and just a beautiful woman.
Mum Judy went to a lot of trouble and organised with Diane to have a dinner at her home, I met more of the family and her lovely neighbour Meishing, who mum spoke so highly of.
On that memorable trip to Reno mum and Larry went to so much trouble hey I was this stranger from Australia but I can’t say how the universe works but it was just like I had come home to a family I had lost, I had found my sister ( a sister I knew I had somewhere but until now couldn’t find her) and another brother.
Diane Willis Mum& Larry all took me on a camping trip I had never seen a 5th wheel nor a motor home and I had just the best time, Larry took me out on his little boat to fish, just ask Diane she was laughing so much as for those that don’t know me Diane always calls me miss hoity toity, it was the best this family could of ever done for me
It was a sad day when I left the home to continue my holiday
Since then I have been back a couple of times to see Diane and Willis and everytime Mum was there also, Oh BB is coming we have to come and catch up with her.
The second time Mum and Bob drove the motor home all the way from Reno to Metaline we had such a great time and mum and I both love shopping so many a day was spent shopping and just having a great time.
My last visit and the last time I saw my 2nd mum was on my last trip, Diane and I had done a road trip to San Francisco and further, then we took the Zephyr to Reno and spent about a week with her, yes her health was failing but her heart and her spirit was just the same.
Again mum open her home and heart to me BB again it was just as if I had been away on holidays and had returned back to my roots.
It is with a very sad heart to know that in my life I will not see mum again but she will always be alive in my heart and my mind that beautiful lady full of grace, her smile her little chuckle and I can still hear the way she said OH BB
Thank you Mum Judy for loving me as you did, you will always be a part of me and I am sorry for not being able to get to say my last goodbye
I love you now and always
Until we meet again
BB (Dianne the funny one from down under)
Kari and Ron Bloomquist
March 17, 2009
Dear Bob And Diane and family,
Ron and I are very saddened by Judy's passing. and want to extend our sympathies to all of you.
Judy was a wonderfaul person and we had many good times together with her and Larry, Fishing and doing many things together.
About a month ago I tried to call Judy to have a visit because it had been awhile since we had talked or e mailed but no one answered the phone and then I wasn't able to call again sice I have been very busy helping my 91 year old Mom who has been having many health issues the past few years.
We stayed with Judy and Larry whenever we did return to Reno and they were always so gracious in sharing their home with us and our children.
They visited us once in Missoula in their Motor home.
They were great friends and we loved them very much.
WE are so sorry for your loss.
Ron and Kari Bloomquist
Shirley Jenne
March 17, 2009
Judy and 3 other gals & I chumbed around in school. When I married and left Escondido I saw the gals only a couple of times. Judy and I corresponded at Christmas and E-mail once in a while. I am the only one left of the group.
I remember when we were in grammer school and Judy came to spend the night. We lived on a ranch and she got scared and cried until Mom took her back home. Judy was always a real beauty and I am regretful I did not get to know her more over the years.
Shirley (Baldwin) Jenne
Jack Schwarz
March 17, 2009
We were so glad to have been able to see Judy just a few weeks before her passing. She was my first sister-in-law. I will always remember her grace and charm and the value she placed on keeping connected to our family even after she and Dean divorced. I'm only sorry we didn't make an effort to see her more often after she moved to Reno.
Km Webb
March 16, 2009
I only met Judy a couple of times, once staying at her house when Cameron was a baby. She was always a very classy lady. I know she will be missed.
Kim Tobin Webb
Shirley Schwarz/Fults
March 16, 2009
When Judy married my brother, I was so glad to have such a sweet sister-in-law. I'm just sorry that we couldn't have spent more time together as we grew older. Bob and Diane, sorry for your loss.
Jerry Mackay
March 16, 2009
Judy always said that I gave her the first ride on the handlebars of my
bicycle and her first horseback ride on the horses I rode to school occasionally and tied up East of their house on 5th street in Escondido. Escondido, class of 1952.
Ruth Lekson
March 16, 2009
I met Judy in High School, and was always in awe of her grace and beauty! She was truly a lady! I am forwarding this page to our classmates who all are saddened by her death.
Dianne Bremer
March 16, 2009
Judy was so gracious to me and treated me like part of the family when Diane was in a terrible accident many years ago. Diane and I have continued to be good friends for many years and have shared many memories. My sympathies to you and your family, Diane, upon the loss of your mother. Love, Dianne
Mom, Kari & Diane, Adrian, OR 76 or 77
March 15, 2009
Mom - Head Cashier Washoe Med, Reno
March 15, 2009
Mom & Larry Box Canyon 2004 Metaline, WA
March 15, 2009
Mom (late 80's I think)
March 15, 2009
Fran Holmes
March 8, 2009
Thank you for your e-mail letting me know about Judy. I am so saddened at the news. Judy was a lovely gracious lady and will be truly missed. Larry and Judy came to our bi-annual high school reunions held in Reno and to the all-school reunion in Larry's home town of Windom, MN, along with Larry's sweet mother. I am sorry I didn't have an opportunity to know her better. My prayers are with all of you.
Joyce Klump (Horning)
March 8, 2009
Larry and Judy spent so many good times together through the years. I worked with Larry at Nevada National and Security National Bank and through him I met Judy. They used to come to Tahoe Donner to our cabin and was part of a dinner
club. I live in NY now but saw her last June. We were going on an Alaskan cruise which she wanted to go on but because of her health couldn't make it. She was a great lady. We will miss her.
Karen Sauer
March 7, 2009
I worked with Judy for quite a few years in the businees office. We shared many a laugh and shed some tears. She was the best! I will miss her.
Shawn Snyder
March 6, 2009
The first time I met Judy I thought she was a very classy lady. I still remember the time I visited her home with my brother, Chris, and his wife Diane. She made me feel welcome just like I had know her all my life. I loved her blue tiled counter tops and now I have tile counter tops in my kitchen. I think of her when I work in my kitchen in fact I was thinking of her just the other day while I was cleaning my kitchen. That seems rather strange to me now knowing that it was the day she passed on.
Even though my brother is no longer part of her family I feel I am still tied to her because of spending time with her and knowing her through my niece (Kari) and nephew (Cameron) and their mother Diane.
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys as you remember your Gma in your own special way.
Love ya all,
Aunt Shawn
Joan Orr
March 6, 2009
I had worked with Judy for a few years at the Business Office. She always was a lady and someone that had a quick laugh. She was always busy keeping the money balanced. I never kept in touch with her after she left, but I was very shocked and saddened by her passing. She will certainly be missed.
Kari Rayson
March 5, 2009
I am the first to sign the guest book and I hope that many more will follow me.
My "Geema" as she was known to me and my brother, was incredibly special to me. She was more like a mom than a grandmother. I never called her "grandma".
She helped to raise me during the tumultuous teen years and in those years I learned and grew a lot. She introduced me to volunteering at Washoe Medical Center, where I spent well over 1,000 hours of my life helping others.
She didn't let me get away with much as a teenager. I wasn't allowed to drive and sleepovers with friends were few and far between. I lived with some very strict rules that of course, I tried to bend or break at one time or another! She always had my respect, though. Even as an adult going through a lot of tough times, she has always offered to help. Even when I messed up.
I look forward to being with her again someday. But for now I know that she's with my "Geepa", who I know she has missed so much the last several years. And I'm so glad that they can finally be together again, and this time it's forever.
I'll bet their dog Yorky is with them, too!
I will miss you so much, "Geema". Until we meet again. I love you.
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