Judith L. Ortmeier, 70, of Chelsea, SD, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by her family.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 9, 2024, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Faulkton, with Fr. John Short presiding. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Polo. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Judith Lynn (Raethz) Ortmeier was born April 23, 1954, to Kenneth and Helen Raethz in Faulkton, SD. She graduated from Faulkton High School in 1972.  She met the love of her life, Dave Ortmeier at the Roller Rink in Orient, and became his wife on June 23, 1972.

In high school she worked at the Snack Shop, Dairy-O and for Father Burns at the Catholic Church in Faulkton. After marriage, she and Dave lived in Wecota for 12 years.  During that time, she ran the post office from the front entry of their home. Judy and Dave moved to Chelsea where she spent the next 30 years working as the bookkeeper alongside Dave at the Chelsea Cenex.

Judy opened her home to everyone and wanted to help and take care of anyone that was in need.  She was a friend to many and loved visiting with people. She enjoyed playing cards, going to grandkids’ events, and spending time with her great grandkids. She was looking forward to traveling to Arizona to meet her newest great granddaughter, Skylar. She loved decorating for the holidays and was extremely proud of the Christmas village she displayed in the living room all season, adding a new piece every year. Judy was always busy around the house updating, rearranging and making her home ready for the next guest to come.

Her grandkids were her pride and joy, and she loved having them spend the night.  She was ready at a moment’s notice when they asked if they could come over.  Judy did a lot of baking.  She always had bars and cookies in the freezer ready for the grandkids, or when needed to furnish something for an event.  Hunting season was one of Judy’s favorite times of the year; that meant her brothers from Chicago were coming.  She loved providing a big meal for all the hunters.

Judy retired in 2013 and couldn’t wait to do a little traveling with Dave, especially to Arizona.  She loved the warmer weather and enjoyed spending time with family there.

Judy was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America, and the Cresbard Auxiliary.

Judy is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dave; daughters: Nicky (Kevin) Sparling and Cassie Ortmeier; sons: Garrett (Rachel) Ortmeier and Matt Ortmeier; grandchildren: Kaitlyn (Levi) Haar, Codi (Paul) Young, Talley Sparling, Teryn Sparling, DeShawn (Katherine) Ortmeier, Jude Ortmeier and Layla Ortmeier; great-grandchildren:  Hadley and Hudson Haar and Malachi, Aziah and Skylar Ortmeier; siblings: Ron (Fran) Raethz, Roger (Janet) Raethz, Cindy (Tom Myslewiec) Raethz, Tom (Betty) Raethz, Doug Raethz, Kristi Raethz and Mike (Pete Austin) Raethz; in-laws: Don (Jan) Ortmeier, Peg (Duke) Venjohn, Joan (Dave) Blachford, Tom (Terri) Ortmeier, Carol (Jerry) Wieseler, Mel (Norman) Jelsma, Rodey (Chuck) Martinmaas, Ann (Mike) Schaefer, Jack (Diane) Ortmeier, Gerri Ortmeier, Mike (Gina) Ortmeier, and Shane (Cris) Ortmeier as well as many nieces and nephews.

Grateful to have shared in her life but passed on before her were infant daughter, Mary Jo; parents, Kenneth and Helen Raethz; stepmother, Shirley Williams-Raethz; father and mother-in-law, John and Kitty Ortmeier; brother-in-law, John Young; and niece and nephew, Lindsey and Tony Venjohn.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Judith’s arrangements.