Judith Mary Schmeling

Obituary

     Judith Mary Thissen was born to Theordore and Elizabeth (Groebner) Thissen at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minnesota, on February 20, 1950, the youngest of five children. She was baptized on March 12, 1950 at St. Clara’s Catholic Church in Clara City, Minnesota, by Father Nicholas Gillen. Her family lived in Kerkhoven until 1955 when they moved to Litchfield where she started her education. They moved in 1957 to LaPrairie-Grand Rapids where she attended St. Joseph Catholic School. Judy received her First Holy Communion on May 11, 1958 by Father Henneberg. She was confirmed May 17, 1962, by Bishop Shanke. Judy attended Bovey Jr. High, and graduated from Greenway High School in Coleraine Minnesota with the Class of 1968. She continued her education at Itasca State Jr. College for one year. Judy moved to Hutchinson in 1969, and was employed at 3M.  

     On December 12, 1970, Judy married James Randall of rural Kerkhoven. They lived on a small farm in rural Clara City, and Judy was employed at the Variety Supply Company. The following year they moved onto the Randall family farm in rural Kerkhoven where they farmed and raised four children, James, JeAnn, Janae, and Jon. Judy was employed at Molenaar Plastics Inc. for 16½ years. After the marriage dissolved, Judy moved to Willmar.

     After her youngest daughter, Janae, graduated from Willmar High School, Judy married Kenneth Schmeling of rural Lake Lillian on July 1, 1995. They made their home on Ken’s farm in East Lake Lillian Township. In September of 2001, Judy quit her job at Molenaar Plastics to help Ken farm fulltime. Her hobbies included crafts, sewing, quilts, and gardening, both vegetable and flowers.

     Early Saturday evening, September 22, 2018, Judy peacefully passed away at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson while surrounded by her family. Blessed be her memory.

     Judy is survived by her:

Husband, Ken Schmeling of rural Lake Lillian, Minnesota;

Children: James Randall of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota,
            JeAnn Graham and husband Josh of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota,
            Janae Lee Gulsvig and husband Mark of Finland, Minnesota, and
            Jon Randall of Eden Prairie, Minnesota;

Grandson, Travis Graham and special friend Hannah of Minnetonka, Minnesota;

Siblings:         JoAnn Coler and husband Charles of Mesquite, Nevada,
                        Jerome “Jerry” Thissen and wife Jan of Jordan, Minnesota, and
                        Anita McLeod and husband Chuck of Bassfield, Mississippi;

Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-Law:  Shirley (Ron) Mortensen of Hector, Minnesota,
                                                                Donna (Ron) Bjur of Cosmos, Minnesota,
                                                                David Schmeling of Hector, Minnesota, and
                                                                Lisa (Mark) Taylor of Buffalo Lake, Minnesota;

nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law, and her brother, Albertus Thissen and his wife, Sherri.