Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Judith Ann Nelson was born in Fairfield, Iowa in 1950, to Betty and Elmer Nelson. Judy had two siblings: Jim and Wes. Growing up in Bonaparte, Iowa, was absolutely beautiful as it sits on the banks of the Des Moines River. Betty was a stay-at-home mom, who had a great influence on Judy’s positive attitude in life. Judy gained her strong work ethic from her Father, Elmer, who worked as a heavy equipment operator for the county after returning from the service in the United States Army. Judy was a shy, quiet girl. Judy remained best friends with her childhood friend Debbie, for decades to come. After graduating from Harmony High School in Bonaparte, Judy decided to join a friend’s family and move to California to pursue new opportunities.

Judy attended Pasadena City College and earned a degree in Accounting. She liked numbers and she was hired quickly by businesses to do their books. Judy married and welcomed two children: Genevieve and Marcus. She was so happy to become a mom, as her children were her priority. Judy was hired as an Accounting clerk, later becoming Office Manager at Rite-Way Meat Packers, where she worked for the next 30 years. For many years, she took the bus from her home in Arcadia to downtown Los Angeles to work. Even when her son was at Children's Hospital, she took the bus directly from work to the hospital to be by his side. After divorcing, Judy bought her first car, which was a light gold/yellow Cutlass. She was a wonderful mother who was very supportive and involved in her children’s lives. Judy loved watching Genevieve dance to the radio and she taught her to be a confident, caring person. She also was a second Mom to Genevieve’s good friends, such as Celeste. Judy was extremely understanding and Genevieve’s friends could talk to her about anything. For Marcus, Judy enrolled him in T-ball at the age of five and attended all of his baseball games through junior high school. Marcus remembers their special outings together at Dodger games. Judy loved the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Lakers.

In January 1990, Judy started dating a friend from work named John Perdue. Her life changed forever, as they were truly soul mates. Only a few months later, John proposed to Judy by the waterfalls she loved so much at Whitney Portal in Lone Pine, California. The couple was married in a beautiful wedding in Big Bear on October 13, 1990. Their kids were all around the same age so they quickly became one family. Judy and John were truly best friends as they did everything together, hand-in-hand. Judy was so supportive of John, she was the one who encouraged him to buy their beautiful red 1500 Vulcan classic motorcycle. The couple enjoyed many vacations on that motorcycle including trips to Laughlin, Napa, Lake Tahoe, and through Yosemite.

Judy looked beautiful riding on that motorcycle in her chaps and leather jacket. There were trips to Hawaii, first in 2003, and later with John’s family in 2006. There was also a memorable Catalina camping trip. Judy always created wonderful memories and was happy to share fun stories about her vacations.

There were many family gatherings over the years and Judy enjoyed baking for them, Thanksgiving, Christmas or special birthday celebrations. She was known for her delicious pumpkin pies, and her delicious salads including green, pasta, and her black bean and corn salad. Judy’s specialties were often the requested desserts and salads, especially her Seven Layer Dip. A giving person, Judy was always willing to share her recipes with others. Judy enjoyed reading and listening to books on tape, trading and swapping tapes with Irwin. She had a wonderful relationship with her employers Irwin and Carol, who were very supportive. Judy enjoyed music, especially songs by Celine Dion, Sugarland, Shania Twain, Kenny G and Michael Bolton.

Family was always her priority. Judy was thrilled when she learned that her eldest daughter Genevieve was pregnant, she was ill at the time and this gave her motivation. After Caleb was born, Judy always liked spending time with him on their weekly visits, she was known as "Gammy". Judy loved all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In every role in her life, she was truly a caretaker and especially loved taking care of her family.

It was fitting that she spent her final days at home surrounded by family and friends. Her family will miss everything about Judy. John will miss sitting out on the back patio talking with her. Genevieve will miss calling her and hearing the comfort of her voice. Marcus will miss coming home and seeing her each day. Her family and friends will remember the personal birthday cards that she created for them, they were always humorous and very personalized - she truly was better than Hallmark. Judy will best be remembered for her quick wit and her loving, caring, compassionate nature. Her advice would be to live your life and love your family.

Judy’s parents, Betty and Elmer, preceded her in death. She is loved by her husband John; daughter Genevieve and her husband Curt; son Marcus and his girlfriend Cindy; daughter Nicole and her husband Ken; daughter Michelle; grandchildren Tricia, Malyia, Rachael, Tyler, Ciarra and Caleb; great-grandchildren Manolo and Mario; brother Jim and his wife Bonnie; brother Wes and his wife Ann; two nieces and one nephew; parents-in-law John and Bev; sister-in-law Vicky and her husband Jeff; brother-in-law Jim and his wife Lelia; and close friends Debbie, Wayne and Valerie, Mike and Cindy, Irwin and Carol, and many wonderful friends.

Memorial donations are welcome to the Wellness Community TheWellnessCommunity.org for cancer support, education and hope.

JUDY’S 7 LAYER DIP

INGREDIENTS:

2 (16 OZ CANS) REFRIED BEANS
1 (16OZ) SOUR CREAM
1 PKG LAWRY’S TACO MIX
3 LRG AVOCADOS (MASHED)
4 LRG TOMATOES (CHOPPED)
SHREDDED CHEESE
GREEN ONIONS (CHOPPED)
OLIVES (SLICED)

DIRECTIONS:

SPREAD BEANS IN A 6X12 PAN, SPREAD MASHED AVOCADOS ON BEANS.

MIX TACO MIX WITH SOUR CREAM AND SPREAD ON TOP OF AVOCADO.

PUT A LAYER OF CHOPPED TOMATOES, THEN A LAYER OF SHREDDED CHEESE.

SPRINKLE SOME GREEN ONIONS & OLIVES ON TOP AND ENJOY.