Judith Annette Wiese

(From her children’s perspective)

Judy was born in 1926 in Kalona, Iowa. She was one of ten children consisting of four daughters and six sons. The family farm kept mom and her siblings busy with daily “chores” of milking cows, raising pigs, and harvesting hay, corn and oats. In their spare time they planted an acre garden and raised various animals. As farmers they earned a living selling hay, oats, corn, and milk. Her childhood memories were pleasant for her, so she passed them on to her children. Growing up Judy attended the Mennonite Church in Iowa City. This was the beginning of her strong faith and trust in God. All through her life Judy made it a priority to attend a Methodist Church and take all the kids with her. She loved reading her Bible and talking to the Lord.

After school, mom left the farm, started working, and met her future husband William Wiese. William was in the Air Force so the family moved regularly to different parts of the U.S. They had three children together, Terry, Valorie, and Lonnie. Judy also had a stepson Carroll who lived in Iowa all his life. Bill retired after 22 years of service and the family moved to Black Forest, Colorado.

As children we were fortunate to learn many life skills that weren’t taught in our educational system. Mom kept her love of animals and farming from her childhood, and we definitely got a taste of “the good life”. She didn’t think that “chores” as she called them, should be separated by male and female roles. (She was ahead of her time).Therefore we all had to learn every skill possible. We ALL knew how to clean, cook, iron, plant and harvest a garden, clean chicken coops and butcher chickens to name a few. Most of our life we had horses, goats, rabbits, chickens, geese, ducks, quail, peacocks, and a half acre garden to harvest.

Similar to mom’s childhood, we spent summers raising animals and gardening so we would have food for the next twelve months. We realized this was different from our friends because everyone begged to come over and feed our baby goats and watch us butcher chickens. Our memories include taking baby goats to work, shoveling 5 foot snow drifts to keep the livestock alive, and taking hard boiled quail eggs the size of a nickel to our teachers on teacher appreciation day. It wasn’t your typical apple most students gave their teachers.

In addition to parenting three children, Judy had several other professions throughout her life. Mom was quite the entrepreneur. At various times she operated a daycare out of our home, bred and sold registered Pekinese and Pomeranians, owned and operated a commercial janitorial business for offices and churches, provided assisted living for terminally ill, and ran a dog sitting business for years after she retired. Mom was fondly known as the “Dog Goddess” by her clients. Judy also enjoyed helping others, and was an incredible caretaker both professionally and personally. For example, she helped with post surgical care for several family members. We were all amazed at the incredible care and love she provided during our recovery. She wouldn’t let us lift a finger, and you could feel her sweet love and kindness throughout the entire house. This was definitely one of her many gifts given to her from God.

Although Terry, Valorie, and Lonnie embraced different career paths, we were all successful, in part, because of the character traits and work ethic instilled in us by mom. She taught us resiliency during difficult situations, a strong work ethic, how to be personally strong and voice our opinions (although we sometimes got in trouble for speaking up too much), provided a foundation for our faith, and how to be tough minded and fight for what we believe in. We also learned how to overcome obstacles, and no matter what, keep moving forward one day at a time.

Mom wanted everyone here to know how much she loved her family. She cherished every minute she could spend with her kids, grandkids, their spouses, brothers and sisters and extended families. She even informally adopted friends of ours as “family”. Mom moved in with Lonnie and Jerry when she semi-retired and was with them for years. It was particularly heartwarming for her after she retired to be able to spend more time with her brothers and sisters. She looked forward to more frequent family reunions, and treasured every moment with her siblings. Bob, her brother, would drive from Alaska (I know…drive from Alaska!!!) almost every year to pick mom up and travel across the country to visit family. She also had more time to make new friends in the XYZ group at United Methodist Church of Parker. She made deep, life giving friends who made her laugh and enjoy life to the fullest. Terry, Lonnie and Valorie took mom on vacations ranging from fishing and camping trips to fun cities and states she always wanted to experience. To name a few, mom went to Yellowstone, New York City, the Oprah Winfrey show in Chicago, Washington DC, and on Hawaiian Island and Alaska Cruises. From our perspective, some of mom’s most fun years were the last 15 years of her life. She enjoyed her time with the Lord, her family, and her friends. She also loved sitting on the porch at her home with friends and family and watch birds. Unlike many people as they age, mom just kept getting better and better. With each passing year she became more loving, kind, and thoughtful. We all hope we will inherit this trait from her.

Mom encountered several serious health issues during the last four years of her life. She was a fighter, always positive, and as sweet as the day was long. Terry and I are grateful to Lonnie who was her primary caretaker during these tough times. We all pitched in, but Lonnie was with her daily.

Mom would want all of us to be thankful for her life and time with us, and know that she is with Jesus celebrating with all her friends and family who have passed on before her.

We love you mom and will always miss you!!!!!