Judith Kay Stern

5.19.23 Issue

Judith Kay Stern passed away on May 1, 2023, in Omaha, NE. Services were held on May 3, 2023, Beth El Cemetery and were officiated by Rabbi Steven Abraham.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Stern; mother and father, Helen and Clifford Putzier; mother-in-law and father-in law, Lillian Schrager and Harold Stern; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Dave Hathaway; brother-in-law, Jeff Stern; and nephews, Matthew Putzier, Brady Putzier and Kevin Hathaway.

She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, David and Sunny Stern; daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and John Katelman; grandchildren: Daniel and Sara Raznick, Mitchell Raznick, and My Linh Stern; step-grandchildren: Josh Katelman, and Jay and Katrina Katelman; great-grandchildren: Cooper and Lila Raznick; step-great-grandchildren: Vivian and Parker Katelman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Barbara Putzier, and Chuck and Cheryl Putzier; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cheryl and Ray Stern; sister-in-law, Lolly Stern; and many nieces and nephews.

Judith was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, student, teacher, scholar, physician, and friend. She was beautiful, warm, caring, understanding, tolerant, brilliant, loving, dignified, even stoic, and perhaps most of all, completely dedicated to each and every role in her life. As a young wife and mother, she delayed her college career until her own children were in school, after which she graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, while still acting as full time homemaker, wife and mother. After graduation, she immediately embarked on an eight year career as a High School English teacher and sometime Dance Team coach. (her Richfield, MN, Dance Team won the state championship).Once both David and Jeanne were off to college, Judy then changed gears, and entered Medical School at The University of Nebraska at the age of 38, where she again graduated with honors. After finishing her Residency, she continued on as an Internist for IMA at Clarkson Hospital, where she emerged as a Physician leader. A decade into her career, she was elected President of the medical staff. She was a dedicated physician, but when her husband, Richard fell ill at age 59, she retired from medicine to take care of him. The decade-plus battle could best be characterized as a raging storm, with a few interludes of calm. Judy was completely invested in Richard's recovery and survival, and she naturally fulfilled many roles in the process. By the time of her beloved husband's passing in 2011, the early stages of uncharacteristic forgetfulness had started to appear, but she kept up a brave face and a positive attitude, even after the diagnosis of Alzheimer's had been announced. Even as Judy was robbed of her physical abilities, and even as her remarkable intellect faded over the following 12 years, she remained pleasant, kind, warm, loving, and generous in spirit. She never lost her sense of humor up to the very end. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, and there were many.

Memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity or Alzheimer's Association.