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Judith Giese Obituary
Judith M. Giese, a retired United Methodist minister died on September 29, 2021 at age 67. She was placed on medical leave from November 2017 until her retirement in June 2021. She moved to Barb City Manor, a senior assisted living facility, where she became friends with residents and attended Sycamore United Methodist worship. In December 2020, she was moved to the DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center where she required skilled nursing care.
Judy was born in Berwyn, Illinois, on October 15, 1953, to parents Carl and Theresa (Loew) Giese. She joined siblings Sharon and Kenneth Giese. At age 5 years their mother died from cancer, leaving the father to care for the family. When Judy was 7 years old a step-mother joined the family; Jessie Harper Giese. The family attended the Brookfield Methodist Church near their home.
Judy attended elementary school in Brookfield and graduated from Lyons Township High School in La Grange. She went to North Central College and completed an education degree. She held jobs during her school period at Cock Robin stores, special needs groups; children and adults on therapeutic horseback riding. She helped at her local church with the youth group during special events; cross country skiing and overnight church campouts.
In 1989, Pastor Judy completed the Masters of Divinity at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston. She became an ordained Elder in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her ministry began with 6 years of serving two United Methodist churches; Clearing & Ashburn (near Midway Airport in southwest Chicago). Plano United Methodist Church in Plano, Illinois, she was in a 6 year appointment.
Pastor Judy was appointed to the Malta & Northwest Malta Churches in 2001 and served those two for 12 years. During that period she joined Sycamore Methodist Church groups for 6 mission trips to UMCOR Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana.
In 2013, Pastor Judy was appointed to Red Oak (Bureau) & Wyanet. In October of 2017, she was appointed to a medical leave of absence.
Judy had amigo, a paint horse that she boarded while serving at Malta, he died. She enjoyed time in the outdoors and riding in the arena. Judy enjoyed her cats and a dog during her ministry duties.
She spent 50 years collecting model Breyer horses. Judy enjoyed other antiques & collectables exhibiting many items at the Sandwich Fair in DeKalb County. She also enjoyed attending auctions and especially estate sales.
Judy is survived by her sister, Sharon Faulk (Pinetop, AZ) her three daughters, Kim, Kathy & Krissy; Kenneth Giese's daughter Kendra.
She was preceded in death by her father, Carl Giese, mother, Theresa Loew Giese; step mothers, Jessie Harper Giese and Viola Stone Giese; grandmother, Regina Giese; brother, Kenneth Giese; brother-in-law, Ed Faulk and sister-in-law, Becky Giese.
A visitation will be held October 8, 2021 from 4-7:00 pm at Anderson Funeral Home, 2011 S 4th Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Malta United Methodist Church, 201 E Sprague Street, Malta, with Rev. Jeremiah Thompson and Rev. Brian Gilbert officiating. There is a visitation at 1:00 pm prior to the service at the church. Burial of cremated remains will be at a later date in the Malta Township Cemetery near Malta, Illinois.
Memorial donations in Pastor Judy Gieses's name may be sent to the donor's choice of charities.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Judith Giese
Sponsored by Anderson Funeral Home - DeKalb.
5 Entries
David Mathias
October 25, 2021
Judy and I went to Congress Park School in Brookfield (Class of 1967) and Lyons Township High School (Class of 1971) together. We were Youth Directors at the same time at both United Methodist Churches in Brookfield, she at Brookfield Methodist, I was at Community Church United Methodist. We would join groups once in awhile for projects and programs for our communities.
Her smile and kindness was always present, a comfort and support to all.
She will be greatly missed and always in our hearts.
Pete & Elaine Jungblut
October 7, 2021
Judy and I met as freshmen at North Central College in 1971. It was the start of a wonderful friendship and many adventures. My family was 75 miles away at the time, so Judy would often invite me to her home in Brookfield on weekends. I remember her father making special potato pancakes for us and taking us out for dinner. We did student teaching during the same quarter. Because I didn´t have a car on campus, Judy would pick me up at the dorm to get me to the school in Woodridge. She was like that - always going out of her way to help people.
Although we were both Elementary Education majors, life took different turns for each of us. Several years after graduation, I moved to Brookfield to be near her and have someone to help me through a difficult patch. During that time, I attended Brookfield United Methodist Church and got to know the kids in the youth group. I had never cross-country skied until I went on a retreat with the group to Camp Renoldswood. That was an event repeated for many years.
Judy and I were both members of American Coaster Enthusiasts for several years and got to share our love of roller coasters. We attended national conferences and rode way too many coasters to count. People called us Mutt & Jeff because she was so much taller than me. It only came into play once, when we went to the opening of the first stand-up coaster. I almost didn´t get to ride it because of the "seat" and the need for long legs. They finally let me ride and Judy and I had a riot!
When she decided to pursue her Masters of Divinity, I was right there cheering her on. She was not yet ordained when she helped officiate at my wedding to Pete in 1988. One of my favorite framed photos shows her smiling at us from the altar during our vows. We were so proud and happy to attend her Ordination. We saw her often at the Clearing church and her home near Midway.
We remained friends, but as life and distance separated us, we didn´t see each other as often as we should have. We kept in contact through mutual friends and Christmas cards. Pete & I last visited her shortly before she moved from Barb Manor in DeKalb.
She is someone I will never forget. So many of my memories include her and the joy she brought into my life and the lives of others.
I wish her peace.
Pete & Elaine Jungblut
October 6, 2021
Judy and I met as freshmen at North Central College in 1971. It was the start of a wonderful friendship and many adventures. My family was 75 miles away at the time, so Judy would often invite me to her home in Brookfield on weekends. I remember her father making special potato pancakes for us and taking us out for dinner. We did student teaching during the same quarter. Because I didn´t have a car on campus, Judy would pick me up at the dorm to get me to the school in Woodridge. She was like that - always going out of her way to help people.
Although we were both Elementary Education majors, life took different turns for each of us. Several years after graduation, I moved to Brookfield to be near her and have someone to help me through a difficult patch. During that time, I attended Brookfield United Methodist Church and got to know the kids in the youth group. I had never cross-country skied until I went on a retreat with the group to Camp Renoldswood. That was an event repeated for many years.
Judy and I were both members of American Coaster Enthusiasts for several years and got to share our love of roller coasters. We attended national conferences and rode way too many coasters to count. People called us Mutt & Jeff because she was so much taller than me. It only came into play once, when we went to the opening of the first stand-up coaster. I almost didn´t get to ride it because of the "seat" and the need for long legs. They finally let me ride and Judy and I had a riot!
When she decided to pursue her Masters of Divinity, I was right there cheering her on. She was not yet ordained when she helped officiate at my wedding to Pete in 1988. One of my favorite framed photos shows her smiling at us from the altar during our vows. We were so proud and happy to attend her Ordination. We saw her often at the Clearing church and her home near Midway.
We remained friends, but as life and distance separated us, we didn´t see each other as often as we should have. We kept in contact through mutual friends and Christmas cards. Pete & I last visited her shortly before she moved from Barb Manor in DeKalb.
She is someone I will never forget. So many of my memories include her and the joy she brought into my life and the lives of others.
I wish her peace.
Rev. Judy and Me in 2018
Don Palmer
October 6, 2021
“Friends are Friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them.”
When one becomes an adult and the years begin to tick by, upon reflection, there are a handful of people that helped shape the person that we are today. Rev. Judy Giese was one of those people.
I met Judy at Brookfield United Methodist Church around 1975. She was the Youth Group Director. Not being a church member myself, I was invited to be join the youth group through some school pals.
Unwavering in her positive energy and kindness, Judy served as our rock and foundation throughout our junior high and senior high school years. The innocent, joyful, faith-based activities that we shared helped shape me into the man I am today. Her sincere God-centered leadership had a profound impact on us all. We thrived in an open and honest world free of social media and the over- abundance of technology teens wrestle with in today’s world.
Our little troupe never took itself too seriously throughout our faith journey together. Woven within all the crazy and sometimes sad times was a deep-rooted commitment to our God and Church. I looked forward to our Sunday evening meetings every week. Retreats and outings together were red-letter events on my calendar. My years with the B.U.M.S. (Brookfield United Methodist Seniors as we called ourselves) were some of my most grounding in my personal faith journey. My youth group experience led to membership in the UMC. I found a home there with my beloved church family, with Judy ever present.
My friendship with Judy opened several new experiences for me. Her love of horses showed me the importance of volunteerism when I joined her on summer in a horseback riding program for kids with Cerebral Palsy. I would probably never have known the joy of canoeing down a serene river in southern Indiana or cross-country skiing around the beautiful Reynolds Wood in Dixon, IL. or hone my creative skills in the design of several over the top July 4th parade floats had it not been for Judy.
After high School and my youth group days concluded, we shared a mutual love for roller coasters and all things amusement parks. We took several trips to Midwest theme parks. While in college at age 21 I came out as gay and Judy’s unwavering love and respect for me were invaluable during that uncertain and rocky time in my life. Through her support and counselling, I never once felt it was wrong to love God and be gay. Several years later, I was honored to have Judy officiate at my commitment ceremony where I currently reside in San Diego.
I will forever be grateful for the love, Mentoring, friendship and positive influence Judy had on my life. Judy even inspired me to assume the role of Youth Director at Brookfield UMC.
Your love of God touched so many over the years. I am confident that you could receive untold numbers of tributes just like mine. You are with Jesus now and I know he has welcomed you with open and grateful arms. May he forever hold you in his peace.
Say Hi to Norma for me.
Don Palmer, San Diego, CA
Kimberly Carlisle
October 6, 2021
My Aunt was a sweet person and a goofy at times...she will be missed dearly!
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