Judy was born September 29, 1942 in Woodburn, Illinois to Carl and Anna Fern (nee Smith) Blumstein, the oldest of 4 children, and attended Southwestern High School in Piasa, Illinois. She worked at Block’s Restaurant in Alton, Illinois, where it is said she invented the concept of the vanilla Pepsi, by simply putting two squirts of vanilla syrup into a Pepsi.
In 1975, she married the love of her life, Jim Little. Judy was blessed with six children, Carla, Debra, Lonny, Joe, Kirby, and Casey. Together they raised the children, and enjoyed over 45 years of marriage.
Judy had many hobbies and interests. She was quite good at painting and sculpture. She loved animals, especially her faithful companion, Rudy. She was an excellent cook and loved preparing meals for family. Most of all, she loved spending time with her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.
She will be remembered as a strong woman, with great tenacity and perseverance that only made her stronger. She never stopped moving forward. She lived a simple life but was rich with bonds of family and friends. She exuded an air of elegance and grace, similar to that of Doris Day or Katharine Hepburn. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister who will truly be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Anna, her daughter, Carla Unverzagt, and two granddaughters, Danielle and Zoe R. Unverzagt.
Judy is survived by her loving husband, Jim; her devoted children, Debra (Sam Noble) Laux, Lonny Unverzagt, Joe (Lisa) Unverzagt, Kirby Little, and Casey Little; her cherished grandchildren, Josh, Bobby, Cody, Courtney, Levi, Tim, Josh, Shannon, Dusten, Tiffany, Ashlee, Samuel, and Jake, 23 great-grandchildren; and her dear siblings, Linda Wuestenberg of Dewitt, Iowa, Brenda Blumstein of Brighton, Illinois, and Rick (Cathy) Blumstein of Bloomington, Illinois; her former husband and father to her oldest children, Larry (Linda) Unverzagt, of Godfrey, Illinois; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staffs of Alton Memorial Hospital and Dignity Memorial
funeral homes.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Metro East Humane Society. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com.
Funeral: Due to current Covid-19 mitigations, private services will be held with Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Pkwy West, Belleville, IL 62223. Inurnment will be held in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Bethalto, Illinois.
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