Judith Kay Gudgel

Judy (Bernhardt) Gudgel, was born on February 24, 1944, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Solomon and Dollye (Hansen) Bernhardt. She passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on September 2, 2026, in Loveland, Colorado.

Judy married Willard Gudgel, on February 2, 1964, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Together they built a loving family and shared more than six decades of marriage, memories, and adventures.

Judy spent her life guided by her Christian faith. Her involvement in the churches she and Willard were members of, was in God’s service. She was active in many women's and couples' Bible study groups, sometimes in their home. She served on church deaconess boards, was active in the choirs of all the churches they were members of, and taught children's Bible schools. She loved the church retreats she attended with friends.

After graduating from high school, Judy attended beauty school and became a licensed beautician. She continued cutting and styling hair for family and friends for many years, sharing both her talent and her time. From a young age, she enjoyed ice skating and took her children out in the winter to teach them to skate.

Judy was a talented and creative artist who found joy in many forms of handiwork. She owned and operated her own ceramic shop, where she shared her love of working with slip and creating beautiful decorative pieces. She loved to crochet and taught others to enjoy it. She made many baby blankets as gifts. She also enjoyed paper arts and card making. She especially loved making cards for residents of elder care homes so they could send special greetings to their loved ones. Her scrapbooks were true works of art and remain a beautiful legacy of her creativity and care.

An avid seamstress, Judy sewed many dresses for her daughters and granddaughters. She quilted and lovingly made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. She was also a wonderful cook and baker, known for decorating beautiful birthday cakes and keeping her family well fed through her canning and preserving. Her kitchen was another place where her love for her family could be felt.

Music was an important part of Judy's life. She encouraged her children to explore different instruments and made sure they had opportunities to learn, perform, and enjoy music. For many years, she bused four children to lessons and concerts. Judy herself played the accordion and mountain dulcimer and had a beautiful soprano voice. She sang in choirs at the churches she attended and shared her love of music with those around her.

Judy also loved traveling and camping with her family. She and Willard visited many states and national parks in their RV and continued enjoying trips with their grandchildren after their children were grown. Later in life, she especially enjoyed visits to nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. She also enjoyed collecting antiques, sometimes finding treasures during her travels.

Above all, Judy will be remembered for the way she loved people. She made friends easily and was kind and caring to everyone she met. She was generous with her time, always willing to listen when someone needed a friend, and never hesitated to help care for her family. Her creativity, generosity, warmth, and devotion to those she loved touched countless lives. Her family will carry those gifts forward as part of her lasting legacy.

Judy is survived by her husband, Willard Gudgel of Loveland, Colorado; her daughters, Jennifer (Gudgel) Getson of Loveland, Colorado; Melanie Gudgel of Loveland, Colorado; and Angela (Gudgel) Mickler and her husband, Jim Mickler, of Greenfield, Indiana; and her sister, Joyce (Bernhardt) Hammelmann of Lincoln, Nebraska.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bethany Mickler, Hannah Mickler, Jewell (Getson) Coulter and her husband, Seth Coulter, Lily Gudgel, Emily Fay, Bradley Fay; her great-grandson, Jameson Coulter; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her son, Christopher Gudgel; grandson, Jakob Getson; parents, Solomon and Dollye Bernhardt; brother, James Bernhardt; sister, Joanne (Bernhardt) Mullins and her husband, Paul Mullins; and brother-in-law, John Hammelmann.

A graveside memorial service honoring Judy's life will be held in Ainsworth, Nebraska, in the spring or summer of 2027. Details will be announced at a later date.

Judy leaves behind a lifetime of love expressed through her family, her music, her art, her cooking, her sewing, her generosity, and the countless acts of kindness she shared with others. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.