Judy Kay Gillham December 8, 1940 ~ September 22, 2023

Judy Kay Gillham, 83, died Friday, September 22, 2023 at Mid-Nebraska Lutheran Home in Newman Grove. Visitation was Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Newman Grove. There will be no funeral service. Cremation will take place following the visitation. Burial of ashes will be in the Central City Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.

com. Judy was born on December 8, 1940 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Marshall Glen and Ida Mae (Walker) Francis. She grew up in the Marquette area and attended Marquette schools. She found joy in playing the piano for church and was so excited when she was able to buy her own piano. Judy worked as a telephone operator in Central City and that is where she met and later married Leroy Gillham on Aug. 2, 1959 with a ceremony in Marquette, Ne. They were blessed with 4 children.

In 1975 Judy and Leroy moved to Newman Grove where they owned and operated the meat locker for many years. Judy would work part-time wrapping meat. Judy also worked at the nursing home in the laundry department and then as a cook at the Newman Grove schools for 15 years. She belonged to the Red Hats group for a couple years and really enjoyed her Thursday coffee group with her friends in the community.

She was a loving spouse, the sweetest mother, and wonderful grandmother and will be greatly missed!

Judy is survived by her husband- Leroy of Newman Grove; children-Sherri Gillham (Dennis Dohmen) of Monroe; Cindy (David) Pieke of Newman Grove, Jodi (Tom) Mausbach of Madison; and Steve Gillham (Lorie Fink) of Firth; 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her parents Marshall Glen and Ida Mae Francis, sisters Pat Carriker, Donna Pierce, and brother Bill Francis, infant stillborn son and grandson Brandon Nelson.