Judy Kellar
March 16, 1959 ~ April 7, 2012
Judy Kellar, 53, of Watertown and formerly of Aberdeen was taken into the Lord’s arms peacefully and unexpectedly Saturday, April 7, 2012 at her home in Watertown.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the United Church of Faulkton with Rev. Gregory Berkey officiating. Burial followed in the Cresbard Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Luce Funeral Home, Faulkton with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.
Judy Louise Martschinske was born March 16, 1959 in Faulkton SD to Edward W. and Ollie (Connell) Martschinske, the youngest of 7 children. She grew up on her family farm outside of Faulkton, graduating from Faulkton High School and attended Northern State University.
In 1978 Judy was united in marriage to Patrick Kellar, settling in Aberdeen and raising their three children together. At the age of 30, she continued her lifelong love of learning, and returned to college at NSU, receiving her degree in 1991. An impeccably dedicated learner, she taught chemistry and industrial technologies while still an undergraduate student. One of her proudest and most enjoyable endeavors was being a “non-trad” and serving as editor of NSU’s student newspaper, The Exponent, and annual, The Pasque. Any student or instructor to encounter Judy met with a vibrant and always positive friend.
After graduation, Judy worked several years for Cendant, and after moving to Watertown, stayed very busy volunteering with local nursing homes, bible studies, First Baptist Church, and took great joy in providing transportation and support to her friends whom she met less fortunate than she.
In 2009 at the age of 50, Judy decided to return to college again, enrolling at Mt. Marty majoring in Criminal Justice where she participated in the Citizens’ Police Academy as part of her student internship program.
Judy took joy of every day of her life, but her special joys were pursuing more and more education, camping, family hunting reunions, countless board games with her children, reading her Bible and especially enjoying her four grandchildren.
Judy is survived by her proud children: Brian (Christel) of Aberdeen, Jeremiah of Bend, OR and Jennifer of Vermillion; 4 grandchildren: Micayla, Leo and Lincoln Kellar of Aberdeen and Callie Broderson of Vermillion; sisters: Donna Powers of Brookings, Gloria (David) Barber of Westminster, CO, Susan Laubach of Vida, MT and brothers Gary (Claire) of Camas, WA and Donald of Homestead, FL and very special friend, Gary Reed, of Watertown.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents: Edward and Ollie; a sister Marilyn and brother-in-law Lynn Laubach.
The family requests that any memorials be made to the Faulkton High School band program.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Judy’s arrangements.
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my deepest sympathies go to the family, kids, grandkids. it was rewarding to know that Judy had found peace and happiness, and now forever. ed,kelly,nadine
Brian and Family,
Our prayers are with you during this time. May you find peace and comfort in God’s grace.
Liz and Steve Gors
My sympathies to the family. I attended college with Judy at Mount Marty and she was in alot of my classes and I helped her with homework. She will be greatly missed. She was a deeply caring person and was always concerned with what was happening in her classmates lives. I am so sorry for your loss.
Gods Peace
So sorry to hear of Judy’s passing she was enthusiasm personified! My thoughts and prayer with you on this seperation. I met Judy and Pat at the NSU radio station KDSD. I have many fond memories of those days. You have many to carry with you so she continues on as an influence in your lives. I pray for your comforting and I’m grateful for having had the chance to know her and you. God Bless!
Judy was a student of mine at Mount Marty College and I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing. Her dedication to her studies was certainly an inspiration to me and I suspect to her classmates as well. She never wavered from a challenge and it surprises me that she finally met a challenge she couldn’t beat.
Judy was an amazing lady to share classes with! She was so nice to everyone and will be greatly missed by all of us at Mount Marty! What an amazing lady! May God be with family at this difficult time.. Praying for all of you! RIP JUDY! <3
My deepest sympathy goes to the Kellar family. Your family and Judy will be in my prayers and thoughts.
Matthew 11:28-
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest”
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family Brian. Losing your Mom so unexpectedly is so difficult. Your Primrose family is here for you!
Sincerely,
Shawna Milatovich
To Judy’s family:
Please accept my sincerest sympathy and that of Judy’s college community of students, faculty and staff in Watertown. Judy was a wonderful student and we will miss her very much. Our prayers are with all of you.
To the Kellar and Martschinke families,
Our deepest sympathy at the passing of Judy. please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jerry and Sandy Bowar
Can’t believe Judy is gone… So many many memories of her, swinging on that rope swing in the barn for hours on end til Judy fell and hurt her back, end of the fun !! And all of the walks from her house to mine where I made her sing over and over Mrs. Brown you’ve got a lovely daughter by Herman N the Hermits. And taking a ‘ swim’ in the water hole aka swamp, eeeeww!! And then there was her young teen years , the black light in her bedroom with the beach boys playing in the background…. She was a very very big part of my happy childhood and will be forever in my heart.. Wish I could of been there for her today ~
To Judy’s family: So sorry to hear about Judy’s passing. We lost touch after highschool, but have some great memories…Judy was always fun to be around and we want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Our sympathy to her family. RIP Judy!
Bill and Deb Clement
So Sorry to hear about Judy…She was a great women. She was in my criminal Justice classes..She always had a kind word and stories that made us all laugh. She will be greatly missed!
My sympathies to all of you for your loss of Judy. I remember Judy as being fun loving as a young girl with a great smile. God bless each of you at this time.
Judy’s entire family was with her during her funeral. Nice to see acquaitances and Watertowners’ express their condolences. Thank You. Gloria Barber, sister.