Judith Anne Stratbucker (McClendon)

Judith was born in Urbana, Illinois on May 5, 1945. With her father in the service Judy lived in different places as a child. She lived in England during the Korean Conflict for two years and the family settled in Omaha. Judy attended Loveland Elementary and graduated from Westside High School in the class of 1963. Helping coordinate their WHS class reunions was a joy for her.

Judy studied Elementary Education at UNO, receiving her Bachelors and her Masters degree in 1967. By 1975 Judy started teaching at Montclair Elementary School in Millard as a 2nd grade then 3rd grade teacher, happily retiring in 2005. She was a popular, skilled, and compassionate teacher.

Judy's best attributes were her laughter, creativity, sincerity, gregariousness, and genuine love for others. Judy also had many wonderful lifelong friends from high school, teaching, quilting, and volunteering.

Judy dearly loved her parents, her two children, and her only grandchild, Chelsea. She was a devoted mother who was very close to her son Steve and daughter Stacie. Judy was active in her children's lives growing up; from being a Girl Scout leader, taking them on family trips in the summers, making a loving childhood home for them on California Street next to Peony Park, to cheering them on when they played different sports. Chelsea and her grandmother (Mema) Judy were a joy to each other. Judy was a cherished and integral part of Chelsea's life growing up. Chelsea helped Stacie while she cared for Judy in her home before Judy entered Memory Care in December of 2019.

For the last four years of Judy's life, she had vascular dementia from strokes, yet Judy never lost her friendly and happy personality with everyone. Judy's daughter, Stacie, devotedly and patiently cared for her mother the last 4 1/2 years of her life; at home, in skilled rehab facilities, and then the last four years in Memory Care facilities. Stacie held vigil during the last nine days of Judy's life on hospice, holding her mother's hand until she left this beautiful life.

Judy is survived by her daughter, Stacie Humphrey-Bannon of Omaha, and granddaughter, Chelsea Bannon of Lincoln.

Survived by brother, Gary McClendon (Peggy); sister, Kristi McClendon; step-daughter, Michelle (Stratbucker) and husband Troy Reiner; Michelle's children, Parker and Nicole Ackland; and extended family.

Preceded in death by her son, Steve S. Humphrey Jr. who passed in October 2014 at 49 years; parents. Ret. Lt. Col. Elmo (Mac) and Virginia McClendon, who both lived long happy lives; infant sister, Donna Sue McClendon; and Judy's adored second husband, Fred Stratbucker, who came to the US from Dusseldorf, Germany as a young adult.

A memorial service will be held in Judy's honor at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home on Saturday, November 11 at 2 pm with refreshments following. Please bring your memories and stories to share.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westlawnhillcrest.com for the Stratbucker family.