Judith Jean (Fiedler) Payton (1951-2018)

PAYTON, FIEDLER, DOOLITTLE

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 2/4/2018 at 08:44:34

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Judith Jean Payton passed into the presence of Jesus on January 15, 2018, at her home in Ames, Iowa. A visitation will be held Saturday January, 27 from 10:30-11:30 AM at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Ames. Services will be held at 12:00 PM followed by a luncheon.

Judy was born on February 5, 1951 in Walla Walla, WA, the first of three children born to Ed and Betty Fiedler, both of German ancestry. Judy graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1969 where she was active in band and choir, as well as National Honor Society. She then enrolled at Washington State University before marrying Jim Payton, also of Walla Walla, in the summer of 1970. Judy achieved her B.S. in Home Economics in 1973 and following her graduation, Jim accepted a position with John Deere in Portland, OR. Jenny, their 1st child, was born in 1974, just before Judy was diagnosed with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. After a move to Ontario, OR and a change in Jim’s employment to reduce his travel schedule, Judy’s arthritis became less severe. The couple relocated to Hudson, IA, where Jim was reemployed by John Deere, and their son, John was born in 1979. Judy’s focus during these years was to nurture her family. She also continued her education gradually and received a Master’s in Child and Family Studies from the University of Northern Iowa. She taught periodically as an associate professor in the same department, and later worked as a counsellor at Alternatives Pregnancy Center. In 2007, Judy was unexpectedly diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, treatable with oral medication. Two years later, the CML recurred in a spinal tumor and a decision was made to undergo a donor supplied stem cell transplant at Mayo Clinic. This difficult 3 month procedure extended her life eight years, allowing her to know and love nine grandchildren, four of whom were born after the transplant.

Judy chose to follow Jesus Christ early in life, and as she matured, her character increasingly reflected His grace and compassion. She was an excellent conversationalist, and in almost every situation, would initiate with and draw out those who needed a listening ear. She had meaningful relationships everywhere – with her grandchildren, her neighbors, women at church, college students, and in recent years, her medical providers!

Judy is survived by her husband, Jim Payton; her brother, Jim Fiedler and his wife Diana; brother, Dean Fiedler, and his wife Jeri; daughter, Jennifer Doolittle and her husband, Jeff; son, John and his wife Jessica; and 9 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Christ Community Church or The Iowa State Navigators and mailed to: 4808 Idaho Circle Ames, IA 50014.

Online condolences may be left at adamssoderstrum.com

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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