Judith Diane Tweten - Warmly known as “Judy” to all who knew her was born on March 28, 1942 in Valley City, North Dakota to Einar Olaf and Nina Josephine Tweten. The 5th of five girls, it was widely speculated Einar skipped the hospital at her birth because he was so disappointed that after four girls his last hope for a boy to carry on the Tweten name had come to an end. Little did he know she would quickly become his pride and joy and would see both him and Nina through their later years with much love, attention and care. The family soon moved to Wichita, Kansas where Einar began a 25-year career with the Boeing Company that relocated them several times between Wichita, Seattle and finally to Long Beach, CA.
Judy graduated from South Wichita High School in 1960, 13th in her class with a scholarship to a small university in Kansas where she was expected to degree in business administration. She turned the scholarship down to follow the love of her life Billy Wayne Teague to San Diego, California where “Wayne” had enlisted in the US Navy. They were married in San Diego in 1960 and after Wayne was discharged four years later, they moved to the San Fernando Valley in Southern California in 1963 and both worked for Rocketdyne in the defense industry for many years. Judy in administration and Wayne as a mechanical engineer. They had two boys together in 1965 and 1967.
Judy and Wayne divorced in 1978 and she was reintroduced by a friend to Richard Paul Owen (Dick) and after a few years dating, they were married in 1982. They met through a mutual friend some years earlier. Both were freshly out of first marriages and they quickly developed a bond that would last years to come. Dick and Judy settled in Simi Valley, California and enjoyed many years of love and companionship with a blended family until Dick’s death from cancer in 1994.
Judy semi-retired in 2004 to Indio, California where her youngest son joined her in 2009 and they shared a home together until her death on March 5, 2021 at 78 years old. During this time Judy’s love of animals all her life culminated in her developing a small boutique dog kennel with the AKC champion breed Bichon Frise and was well known in the local dog world as “Sensational Bichons.” Over the years Judy AKC championed 3 female Bichon’s; “Lacee,” “Lillee” and “Calee” and most recently partnered with a dear friend to both grand champion and receive an international championship of a male Bichon “Tobee” in addition to owning many more Bichon’s along the way. Judy whelped thirteen litters of puppies over 16 years and was always known for having beautiful litters of well socialized puppies with loving owners coming from all over the western United States. She most always had a waiting list for her puppies and kept track of her fur-babies developing long-term friendships with her puppy families through the years.
Judy is preceded in death by both Wayne in 1987 and Dick in 1994. Her sister Thelma Jean died shortly after birth; Father Einar in 1979; sister Elaine in 1982; Mother Nina in 1995; sister Patricia in 2002 and her son, Rusty Coldewey in 1984. Sister Ardell in 2005 and her son, Mike Reed in 2014. She is survived by her loving sons Cory Wayne Teague of Springdale, AR and Scott Mitchel Teague of Indio, CA and one granddaughter, Madelyn Hart Teague of Los Angeles, CA. A niece, Becky (Reed) Jones of Irvins, UT and nephew, Terry Coldewey of Buckley, WA and their families along with The Owen siblings Wesley, Sherie, Jani and Sandy and their families with many life-long friends, professional colleagues, Bichon world folks and too many acquaintances who thought so much of her to mention.
Judy was a devoted caretaker for her family, a fiercely loyal friend, had a wonderful sense of humor, was way too opinionated and wasn’t afraid to share it with anyone who would listen, and died too soon. She will be missed by all.
A chapel service will be held for Judith on Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 12:00 noon in the Westminster Memorial Park Main Chapel with an interment service to follow. Arrangements are under the care of Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary, 14801 Beach Blvd, Westminster, California 92683. 714-893-2421
Due to State and Local Mandate regarding COVID-19, only a limited number of people are permitted to attend. Please call for further information.
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