Judith Eldredge

Judith (Judy) B. Eldredge, 85, passed away November 22, 2021, at the Stuart Community Care Center in Stuart, Iowa. Judy was born October 4, 1936, in Sully, Iowa to Loren and Cecilia Eldredge. Judy was the second oldest of 6 girls. Judy lived in Des Moines for most of her life. Judy graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1958 and obtained her Bachelor of General Studies in 1983 from Drake University and spent time pursuing her master’s degree. Judy was the President of the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing Student Body and she was very active in the Iowa Nurses Association. Upon graduation she began working for Mercy Hospital and then moved to California with friends and worked as a nurse there for several years. She returned to Des Moines and continued her career in nursing at Mercy and retired after 37 years in 1995. Judy loved the Chicago Cubs and went on many “sisters trips” to St. Louis and Chicago for games and would go to Worlds of Fun, Oceans of Fun and the Royals games in KC with her nieces and nephews. Judy traveled extensively. She went on many trips where she took her sisters and many nieces and nephews. Their travels took them to the Dakotas, Texas, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Cape Canaveral and Wisconsin. She traveled to Europe, traveled up and down the east coast, went on many cruises and spent many years on the beaches of Florida. Judy introduced the love of the beach to many of us taking us on trips to Florida and she spent many years wintering in Navarre Beach with her sister Lila. Judy will be remembered for countless things, but one of the most memorable things will be camping at Springbrook State Park. Back in 1962, when Judy moved back from California, a family camping trip was suggested. It all started with Lila and Judy taking their younger sisters Cathy, Sue and Janet and the nieces and nephews camping at Springbrook. As the years went on, the number of campers grew and as the campers grew older, they started bringing many friends camping as well and now bring their own families each year. Those new campers quickly became part of the family and eventually the annual camping trip started being referred to as “Camp Lila and Judy”. In 2022, we will celebrate 60 years of Camp Lila and Judy and her memory will live on with us each year forward. Judy worked hard and enjoyed life. Judy made a huge difference in so many lives. From the nurses she trained and supervised, to the numerous things she did for her family and friends. Judy was one of a kind and will always be remembered for how she was always taking care of all of us, her love of her family, and her many friends. Judy is survived by her sisters Lila Belden (Stuart), Cathy Burkhardt (Omaha), and Sue Forcht (Stuart) plus many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, and sisters Georgia and Janet. To the staff of Stuart Community Care Center that showed such compassion and provided Judy with exceptional care, we would like to express our unending gratitude. From all your sisters, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and your entire family, we love you and will cherish our memories of you always.