Judy Smith
October 22, 1943 - May 20, 2024
Judy Smith passed away unexpectedly on May 20, 2024 at Banner Hospital in Casa Grande, AZ at the young age of 80.
Judy was born October 22, 1943 to Millie and Kenny Barker. She graduated in 1962 from Mound High School in Mound, Minnesota with her lifelong best friends Molly Fenstermaker (Stalke), Barb Morrison (Hope), Sue Neitge (Sterne), Jayne Long and Emily Clark.
On February 13, 1965 she married the love of her life, Jim Smith. From this union came three children- Daniel James, Barbara Ann and Donald James.
Throughout her life she worked various jobs while raising and caring for her family. Early on she was a beautician, then a baker and finished her working life as a sales clerk at Wink's Jewelry in Brookings, South Dakota.
Some of her interests include gardening, ceramics, reading, and antiques. Judy also loved and enjoyed her many animal "children"-cats, dogs, sheep, burros, and a miniature horse. Those lucky creatures knew what it was to be loved by Judy, as we all did, and gave their love back to her tenfold.
Judy was artistic, loved murder mysteries and had a great sense of humor. She loved to go out to lunch with her friends and family and most often lunch would lead to an abundance of laughter, especially if her sister Marlene was with her, as they were like two peas in a pod.
Judy was affectionate, easygoing, and generous. She was a genuine sweetheart and according to each of her children, she was absolutely everything you would ever want in a mother.
Left to cherish Judy's memory are:
Her husband - Jim Smith of Casa Grande, AZ
Her sister - Marlene Hulke of Bloomington, Minnesota
Her brother-in-law - Larry Smith (Sharon) of Madison, Wisconsin
Her Children- Dan Smith of Phoenix, Arizona, Barb Henderson (Michael) of Badger, South Dakota, and Don Smith (Janell) of Dakota City, IA.
Her 9 grandchildren- Amanda Fenrich (Taylor) of Grove City, Minnesota, Jacob Smith (Dani) of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Hunter Grad of Lake Norden, South Dakota, Joey Henderson of Brookings, South Dakota, Sam Henderson of Badger, South Dakota, Don Smith Jr. of Ankeny, Iowa, Evan Smith of Dakota City, Iowa, Sophie Smith of Phoenix, Arizona and Bennett Smith of Phoenix, Arizona.
Her three great grandchildren- Jay Fenrich of Grove City, Minnesota, Aiden Fenrich of Grove City, Minnesota, and Zeke Smith of Hutchinson, Minnesota.
Her niece- Jodi Swenson (Roland) of Ipswich, Massachusetts
Her three nephews- Doug Swenson (Lori) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tim Swenson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Tony Smith of Austin, Texas.
Her three great nieces- Alanna Hinkle-Burnett (Walker), Minneapolis, MN, Elsa Swenson, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Mazi Swenson-Heussi of Essex, Massachusetts.
Her many, many, friends that had the privilege and honor of knowing such a beautiful human being.
Judy is preceded in death by:
Her parents- Millie and Kenny Barker
Her two brother-in-laws - Gerry Swenson and Don Hulke
Her many Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.
A Celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, July 21, 2024 in the Fellowship Hall at Oak Hill Lutheran Brethren Church, 8901 France Ave. South in Bloomington, Minnesota from 2:00pm - 5:00pm. This will be an informal affair, to match Judy's lifestyle.
Donations should be directed to your local Humane Society.
