In Loving Memory
Judith "Judy" Ellis
March 1, 1944 - June 15, 2022

VISITATION
Friday, June 17, 2022
5:00  - 7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

SERVICE
Saturday, June 18, 2022
11:00 A.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Lana Williams
First United Methodist Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa

INTERMENT
Portland Township Cemetery
Burt, Iowa

Judith Kay Ellis, daughter of Ernest and Ruth (Dacken) Nauman, was born March 1, 1944 in Kossuth County, Iowa.  She received her education in  Algona.   Following high school, Judy became a nurse's aide at the Palo Alto County Hospital, working there for nearly ten years.

While caring for Anna Nygaard (Jay's maternal grandmother), Anna played matchmaker and suggested to Judy that she write to Jay while he was serving in the U.S. Navy, off the coast of Japan.  Jay and Judy were married one month after Jay was discharged from the service, on February 1, 1969 at the Lutheran Church in Algona.  Judy was employed at Kathleen's Residential Care Facility for a few years before becoming a home health caretaker.  Her positive attitude and cheerful demeanor were very welcoming to the individuals she cared for.  She truly had a gift for caring for others.

Jay and Judy enjoyed camping in their younger years.  Judy loved  shopping and going to flea markets.  She also looked forward to having coffee with her friends.  Judy never met a dog that she didn't like.  Her Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso pups brought her great joy and she seemed to always have one of them on her lap.  Judy always found time to watch Family Feud, as it was one of her favorite T.V. shows and she was the first one in the car if there was somewhere to go.

Jay and  Judy wintered in southern Texas for a few years where Judy loved riding her bike around the park.  They also vacationed near Grand Rapids, Minnesota for many years, until Jay's retirement from A.G.P.  They then moved to Deer River, Minnesota where they found their dream lake home on Ball Club Lake.  Sportsman's Café became their favorite spot for having coffee and Judy's favorite treat, lemon pie.  They developed many friendships there.  Judy and Jay were active members of the Deer River Methodist Church where Judy enjoyed spending time with her friends following church services.

Judy passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at Grand Itasca Hospital in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, at the age of 78.  She was preceded by her parents and older brother, Donald "Donnie" Nauman.

She is survived by her husband, Jay of Deer River, Minnesota;  her sister, Donna Klauer of Denton, Texas; her brother, Dale (Margaret) Nauman of Hastings, Minnesota; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ted and Vicki Ellis of Emmetsburg, Iowa; nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home