Judith Kirchhoff

Judith Ann Kirchhoff, the daughter of Oliver and Alice (Bolin) Sazama, was born Aug. 3, 1946, in Plain- view, Nebraska. She died June 13, 2024, in Hebron, Nebraska, at the age of 77 years, 10 months and 11 days.

Judy was the oldest of five children. Her childhood was in Plainview and Newman Grove before the family moved to Lincoln in 1956. Her family enjoyed many camping and fishing trips in Nebraska and Minnesota. Judy was involved in Job's Daughters, Girl Scouts, and the Northeast Rockets Pep Club before graduating from Lincoln Northeast High School in 1964. She received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and affirmed her faith through Confirmation at American Lutheran Church in Lincoln.

Judy met the love of her life in 1963. Eldon was a student at Milford Community College when they met in Lincoln as part of a 'group blind date.' Eldon said going on that date was the best decision he ever made. They were inseparable from that time on.

Judy and Eldon were united in marriage on Dec. 27, 1964, at American Lutheran Church in Lincoln. They began their 59-1/2 year marriage by living in Lincoln for a short time before moving to Eldon's family farm near Byron, Nebraska. When Eldon was in the Nebraska National Guard, Judy split her time living between Lincoln and Byron. She often traveled to where he was stationed within the U.S. to visit him.

Judy's occupations included working as a secretary for the Nebraska State Patrol and, after moving to Byron, employed at a Superior nursing home and the Belleville toy factory. Her greatest joy was becoming a mother to Rhonda, Kelly and Christina, filling her days and nights with sports and activities both in and out of school. Judy chose to pursue a college education and earned her associate of arts degree in 1984 from Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kansas. She accomplished this while raising a young, active family and helping Eldon with the farming operation.

Soon thereafter, Judy began an in-home daycare. Judy enjoyed having the little ones around, loving and caring for them as they were her own. It was during this time that Judy was a member of the CHB school board, and an organizer of the "Over the Rainbow Pre-School" in Byron. In 2002, Judy started working at Thayer Central Schools as a para professional at the Chester Middle School. She later transferred to the Hebron campus where she worked with middle school and high school students. Judy retired from Thayer Central in 2021.

The blessing of being a grandmother was important to Judy. She enjoyed the chaos of having her 11 grandchildren around her. Attending their numerous activities and sporting events kept her and Eldon on their toes. Judy was proud and excited when talking about her grandchildren and their accomplishments.

Judy was involved in her church and community. She was a current member of Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler, transferring her membership from St. Peter Lutheran Church in Byron after many years. She was active in both churches through Bible Study, teaching Sunday School and Bible School, held offices in the women's groups, as well as serving on the building, worship, and altar committees, and church council. Judy also planned and led annual Advent workshops for many years.

Judy was a member of the Byron Woman's Club, and held all of the offices. She was a member of Farm Bureau and active in the Thayer County Chapter of Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE) where she served as a district and state department chairman. Judy was a charter member of the Byron First Responders, and a member of the Kansas Legion Auxiliary. She was involved with the Nebraska Extension Program for many years. Judy served on the Thayer County Extension Council where she was chair of the health and safety committee. Under her direction, organ donor signs and promotions were placed in the Thayer County Courthouse.

Judy also served as Bloodmobile Chairman for the area for a time. A long-time member of the Town and Country Homemakers Club in Byron, Judy provided leadership in planning the Byron Centennial Celebration, Byron Fun Day events, and was involved in many other community programs and activities sponsored by the club.

Judy was a 4-H Leader for Byron area clubs for 56 years, a 4-H judge for Nebraska and Kansas county fairs, and program superintendent for different areas for Thayer County Fairs. 4-H was a huge part of her life, volunteering her time and talents to many youth. Her dedication to her 4-H members and to the 4-H program has been evidenced by the numerous 4-H and Extension meritorious awards she received over the years.

Judy and her family welcomed many exchange students from all over the world into their home, providing an international experience for both the family and the students. Judy and Eldon experienced a trip of a lifetime to visit former exchange students in Europe.

Judy enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking, crafts, scrapbooking and attending book club gatherings. Some of her favorite times were Christmas cookie baking weekends with friends, road trips across the United States, attending theater performances with her daughters and granddaughters, annual family canoe trips to the Niobrara River, and camping and boating at the lake. Many wonderful memories were made with family and friends.

Judy lived an amazingly full life – she never slowed down even in the face of her illnesses, always finding the strength and determination to continue to stay involved and to support her daughters and their families.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Cindy Hines; parents-in-law, Edwin and Ruth Kirchhoff; sister-in-law, Janet Lippe; brother-in-law, Gary Nelson; and nephew, Matthew Kehm.

Those left to rejoice in the memory of Judy's life are her husband Eldon of Byron; daughters, Rhonda and husband, Blake Mumm, Kelly and husband, Dan Howe of Hebron, Christina and husband, Dan Hastreiter of Humphrey; grandchildren Zachary, Madison, Kelby and Laiken Mumm, Kelsey Schacht, Gregory and Jadyn Kirchhoff, AnnaMae and Aliecia Howe, Jalyssa and Ava Hastreiter; and great-granddaughter, Zivah Schacht; sisters, Janet and husband, Herman Kehm Jr., Gloria and husband, Al Tupa Jr., brother, Bernard and wife, Charity Sazama, sister-in-law, Elaine Nelson, all of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Ruben Lippe of Dallas, Texas; cherished nieces and nephews; her beloved dog Sadie; and many special lifelong friends and neighbors who have been family not by blood but through friendship.

Her funeral was at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler, with Pastor Joseph Love officiating. Burial was at the St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Byron. A visitation was held from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, at the Price Funeral Home in Hebron. The family was not present at the visitation.

Price Funeral Home of Hebron assisted the family with arrangements. http://www.priceurbauerahrendts.com