Judith Elaine Boat

Judith “Judy” Elaine Boat met her heavenly Father Monday, July 11, 2022 at the age of 82. Throughout her life, and nearly 65 years of marriage to her husband, Dale, Judy lived out her faith and love of Jesus by showering kindness on everyone she met. This was even more evident in her final few years as her body and mind declined due to cancer and dementia. Facing two slow-progressing diseases, she never complained and instead focused on how others were doing. She’d laugh and say, “This gettin’ old ain’t for sissies!”

Dale and Judy moved to Grand Living Assisted Living in West Des Moines, Iowa five months ago after living their entire adult lives in the Des Moines area. As Dale wheeled her to meals, she generously gave out hugs and “I love yous” to both staff and residents. In her final days, countless staff stopped by to tell her they loved her. Whether you knew Judy for decades or only a short time, your life was touched.

Born in Yale, Iowa, Judy was the youngest of 10 children. She and Dale met as kids, she graduated from North High School in 1957 and they married later that year on November 27. Although she worked periodically throughout her life, she loved being a homemaker and focused her attention on raising their three children: Randy (Stephanie) Boat, Paula Ziems, and Laine (Tom) Buck. She also adored being a grandma to nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ferdinand and Pauline Lambert, stepfather Lyle Thorpe, and all of her siblings. Funeral services are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 15 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel, 801 19th St, West Des Moines, with visitation prior to the funeral from 10 a.m. to noon. The family would like to express gratitude to the Grand Living at Tower Place and Hospice of the Midwest staff for their care and support. Memorial contributions are encouraged to be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice of the Midwest or the American Cancer Society.