Judy Kay Vowell (1941-2021)

VOWELL, FRITZE, JUNKER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/7/2021 at 15:45:02

Obituary
Judy Kay Vowell (Fritze, Junker) passed away with her family at her side on December 4, 2021 after a long and courageous fight with dementia.

Judy was born on July 21, 1941 in Waverly, Iowa to the late Carolyn and Jack Fritze. She graduated from Charles City High School in 1958.

She was married to Fred Junker in 1960. They had four children together and later separated.

Judy met Jim Vowell on a blind date set-up by mutual friends. They ended up dancing the night away and never looked back. They were married on May 28, 1995 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

She had numerous jobs throughout her life but her last and favorite was at Price Lab School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was her favorite job because she was surrounded by kids and student teachers who she loved as her own. She helped create and organize a group of employees who greeted the students daily as they entered the school. Judy retired after 21 years of service.

Judy loved life and her family. Her family included pretty much everyone that she met throughout her life. She loved family events and would usually shed a few tears when it was time to say the goodbyes. Judy loved dancing, country music, gardening/flowers, cooking and owls. In her retirement years, she enjoyed traveling, camping, visiting friends and anything that included her grandkids/great grandkids.

Judy will be missed by many people that she touched throughout her life. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and person.

Judy is survived by her husband, Jim Vowell (Eldridge), Fred Junker (Davenport), brother Billy Fritze (Lisa) (Pine Bluff, WY), 4 children: Jacky Duffy (Davenport), Brad Junker (Leanne) (Eldridge), Julie Crockett (Kevin) (Iowa City) and Brent Junker (Nichole) (Blue Grass), 2 stepchildren: Jim Vowell (Rose) (Nashua) and Marian Briener (Mike) (Vasalia, CA), grandchildren, James "Jimmy" (fiance Allisa) Vowell, Chris (Kristin) Vowell, Tyler Vowell, Kyle (Sierra) Vowell, Amy Navarrow, Randy Haugland, Sara (Kevin) Kehe, Andy (Coty) Lekin, Adam Lekin, Tyler (Samantha) Junker, Jessica (Fiance, Grant Morton) Junker, Kevin Junker, Trevor Junker, Patty (Matt) Van Portfliet, Eddie Junker; and 19 great grandchildren.

A very special thanks to the Davenport Lutheran Home and all of their great employees who Judy loved and Genesis Hospice Care, who made sure that her final days were comfortable and as pain free as possible.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Davenport Lutheran Home and Genesis Hospice Care.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 1pm – 5pm at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island, IL.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judy K. (Junker-Fritze) Vowell, please visit our floral store.