Judith "Judy" Ann Sheldon

Judith “Judy” Ann Sheldon, 88, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2026, after living with Alzheimer’s disease for many years. Judy was born January 25, 1938, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to John “Jack” Lewis and Mildred (Stuessi) Maris. She grew up in the northwest corner of Missouri with three siblings. Judy graduated from Albany High School in 1956, where she was very involved in piano and vocal music, and played flute and piccolo in the band.

Judy’s talents weren’t limited to music. She won several competitions for typing and shorthand, and that’s how she landed a job as a legal secretary in Kansas City after high school. She worked for a year and then enrolled at Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, Missouri, majoring in music. It was there that she met Larry Sheldon, and they were soon engaged.

Judy and Larry were married on August 10, 1958, in Albany, Missouri. Their three children, Mike, Lori, and Debbie, were born between 1959 and 1963, and Judy traded college classes for life as a full-time wife to Larry and mother to their children.

Judy and Larry lived primarily in the Des Moines, Iowa area while raising their family. In 1973, they moved to England for four years. The adventures and struggles of these years are well-documented in Judy’s journals and numerous letters sent to family back in the States. Their adventures included becoming accustomed to the culture and traveling around the British Isles and Europe. Among the struggles was a brain aneurysm that Judy suffered and recovered from in 1975.

In 1982, Judy and Larry made their home in Denver, Colorado. When they returned to Iowa again in 1989, they settled in the Clive area, renewing friendships and their connections with the Des Moines community. In later years, they enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida and Arizona.

Wherever Judy lived, she was involved with music performance and teaching. She taught piano for decades, accompanied choirs, and played the organ for church. She shared her music in ensembles, duets, and solo performances. Judy was active in B-Sharp Music Club, Pacesetters, and enjoyed going to symphony and pops concerts.

In 1993, Judy purchased Youngerman Music Store and re-established the business on Ingersoll Avenue after a devastating fire wiped out the downtown store shortly after she bought it. Judy said that owning and operating this business was the greatest professional challenge of her life and that she couldn’t have done it without Larry’s help and business guidance.

Larry and Judy had a very active social life and traveled to many destinations in the US and Europe. They played golf at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club and at various courses where they lived or visited. When getting together with friends, bridge was a favorite pastime, and Judy was in several bridge groups. She was a member of P.E.O. and served her chapter as an officer for several years.

Judy made sure that birthdays were remembered and milestones celebrated. During her lifetime, she hosted countless dinners, parties, and welcomed many guests at her and Larry’s home. She was a great cook and appreciated a nicely set table with her fine china, crystal, flowers, and candles.

Judy’s family was her treasure. She was beloved grandma to five grandchildren. Whether they lived close by, or far away, she attended as many of their events and performances she could, from elementary school grandparents’ day to college concerts. Judy was thrilled to meet and hold her great-grandchildren.

Judy’s mainstay in life was her faith in God and Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. In addition to attending, serving, and supporting her church throughout her life, she attended many Bible studies, filling many journal pages with her reflections and prayers.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, and her parents, Jack and Mildred. She is survived by her children, Mike (Pam) Sheldon of Asheville, NC; Lori (Scott) Creighton of Sanborn, MN; Deborah Norman of Des Moines; grandchildren Sarah (Eric) Olson of Bismarck, ND; Zachary (Madeline) Norman of Kilgore, TX; Andrew (Stephanie) Creighton of New Prague, MN; Elizabeth Sheldon of Atlanta, GA; Katherine (Carter) Lockwood of Fort Worth, TX; great-grandchildren Corran, Kora, Flynn, Harrison, Bonnie, and Sophia; and siblings Lewis (Peggy) Maris, Bailey, CO; Walter (Karen), St. Joseph, MO; and Martha (Ron) Kixmiller, Rock Valley, IA.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 24th at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am, with the service at 11:00 am and lunch to follow. The family will then gather for internment at Resthaven Cemetery, West Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be directed to any of the following organizations:

Des Moines Symphony – Academy Scholarships

P.E.O. International – Educational Support

St. Mark Lutheran Church - Music Ministry

Alzheimer’s Association