Judy Meister 1947 - 2024

MEISTER, NELSON

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen (email)
Date: 8/4/2024 at 15:54:11

The Mapleton Press
8 February 2024

Judy Meister passed away from multiple myeloma cancer on Friday, January 19, 2024, at age 76.

Judy was born August 11,1947, at Onawa, IA to Gladyce and Pete Nelson. She joined her parents and two brothers on a farm south of Mapleton, IA, where she enjoyed nurturing her cats, exploring nature, and helping her family with work in the house, garden, fields, and with livestock. Her parents taught her a strong work ethic as well as values of family, love, and God. From her brothers she learned to ride a bike, play board games, sports, ping pong, and to get along with others. She was a 4-H member and learned valuable life and leadership lessons there.

Judy graduated as valedictorian from Maple Valley High School in 1965. Not having the opportunity to go to college, she worked at the First State Bank in Mapleton, and then moved to Sioux City, IA, in 1968 to seek her fortune and a husband. She found both when she met Woody Meister while they both worked at the Toy National Bank. They married in 1970. Woody was the love of her life and her best friend. One friend remarked that Judy and Woody, two humble farm kids, brought out the best in each other.

In 1972 the couple moved to Owatonna, MN, for Woody's career. Over the years, Judy was employed at the OTC-SPX Companies and A J Lysne Contracting, retiring early in 2007 to care for Woody in his illness. After Woody passed away, she was the part-time controller for Express Employment Professionals. She cherished the relationships she built there with owner Betsy Lindgren and her fellow employees. She was a past member of the Owatonna United Methodist Church; Toastmasters; United Prairie Bank Advisory Board, and a past 30-year member of the Owatonna Exchange Club. Currently, she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, PEO, and served on her townhome board. In 1988, Judy fulfilled a lifelong dream when she graduated with highest honors with a degree in Business Administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She was an invited member of Phi Kappa Phi, a National Honor Society for high academic graduates. Judy earned her degree after eight years of night classes while working full-time and with invaluable support from her family. In 1997, she was elected to the Owatonna City Council and served as president; she also sat on the Economic Development Authority and the Owatonna Incubator Board.

Judy and Woody liked to play tennis, golf, cards, and go for walks. The couple made a special group of friends and traveled extensively for thirty plus years with the Weakenders' bicycling group. While Woody's early passing in 2008, at age 65, prevented them from enjoying any retirement dreams, they were able to visit a number of states and countries before Woody's illness. After Woody's death, Judy continued to travel as her health permitted. Especially dear to her was her ladies' 500 card club, with whom she had played since 1974. Her other interests were walking, reading, history, music, current events, cooking, and watching TV-especially women's basketball, football, public tv, and westerns. She liked gathering with friends for coffee, lunch, and lively conversations. With much of her family living far away, her friends became like family; and she cherished those relationships.

Judy was especially grateful for and proud of her family: daughters Lisa (David Larson) and their children, Derek and Chelsey of Owatonna, MN: Laurie (Donald Howey) and their sons, lan and Gunther of Houston, TX; and great-granddaughter Briella Larson-Mills of Owatonna, MN. She is also survived by her brothers: Arlo Nelson (Donna) and Floyd Nelson, all of Sioux City, IA, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She enjoyed the annual Swenson family reunion which brought her mother's family together for over 70 years to celebrate their Norwegian heritage. Uff Dah!

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, husband Woody, and sister-in-law, Thelma Nelson.

Judy hoped she would be remembered for her work ethic, integrity, generosity, courage in her illness, sense of humor, and her love of family, friends, and community. Aristotle said, "The purpose in life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have made some difference." Judy hoped she made a difference.

Funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna, MN, on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 6:00 PM Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Rd, Owatonna) and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday.

Memorial preferences are for any local charity that helps people in need or to the Owatonna High School Music program.

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