Judy Kornder, 85, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025, under hospice care at the Primrose Cottages.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with Father Greg Tschakert officiating.
A time for fellowship and luncheon will be after the mass at the church hall.
Private family interment will be at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5-7 on Wednesday, August 27, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, with a 7 p.m. liturgical wake and rosary service. Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church.
Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s website following the service.
Judy Havorka was born on in Tyndall, SD, on September 29, 1939, to Anton and Hattie (Bouska) Havorka. She was the last survivor of four brothers and four sisters. She grew up on a farm near Tyndall, SD. Judy attended country school through sixth grade and Tyndall schools until she graduated in 1957. She then went to work at Security State Bank in Tyndall.
Judy was united in marriage to J. Richard “Dick” Kornder on August 29, 1959, in Tyndall. They were high school classmates whose relationship grew into marriage. Judy worked at the bank while Dick finished college to support them.
Then, the fun started with four boys born two years apart: Dennis, Jay, Patrick, and Michael. Judy was a very busy person and worked part-time, when possible, to help support the family. “Have and to hold,” ten years later, two girls were born: Susan and Sarah. Judy still knew how to change diapers. She was a caring and patient mother.
Following Dick’s teaching career, the family moved to Aberdeen in 1970, where they made their lifelong home. Judy loved art, was creative, and enjoyed antiques. Her artistic talents were used on many different pieces, along with positive words of meaning and feelings. She took pride in and enjoyed her time in her garden as well. She loved traveling, and one of her best memories was attending the Kentucky Derby with Dick on their 50th wedding anniversary. She truly adored her seven grandchildren and enjoyed watching them grow up and mature.
Her most meaningful accomplishments and inspirations were her 65-year marriage to Dick, being a mother to six children, and a grandmother to seven grandchildren. Her favorite place to be was at home, and her message was to treat family as family.
Judy is survived by her husband, Dick; four children: Dennis (Paula) Kornder, Jay (Kathy Porter) Kornder, Susan (Tom) Vogel, and Sarah (Jackson) Crawford; seven grandchildren: Joel, Ryan, Matt, Lucas, Emma, Owen, and Jack.
She was preceded in death by her parents, all siblings, and two children, Patrick and Michael.