Judy Karen Willemssen, age 79, of Sanborn, Minnesota, passed away on January 14, 2025, at Olivia Restorative Care Center after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Visitation will be held at Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. Private burial will take place at Sanborn Cemetery at a later date.  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Judy Karen (Raasch) Willemssen was born on December 3, 1945, in St. Paul to Alfred and Annette Raasch. She was the youngest of seven children. Judy graduated from Johnson High School in 1963, where she was proud to be a Johnsonette. While on a girls’ trip to Springfield, Judy met the love of her life, Dwight Willemssen, at Rock Street Bar. They were married on July 1, 1972, in Saint Paul and soon after moved to a farm in Stately Township. Judy embraced her role as a farmer’s wife and devoted herself to raising their five children with Dwight on the family farm. When their children were school-aged, the family moved to Sanborn, and Judy began working at Sanborn Corners (Gas Hole). Later, she became a Therapeutic Recreational Aide at St. John’s Nursing Home in Springfield, where she worked until her retirement. Judy’s greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. Her home was always open, and she cherished the moments spent together. Among her fondest memories were trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Florida, as well as summers at Lake Mary in Alexandria. She loved her coffee with friends, playing cards, taking hot baths, and enjoyed riding around Sanborn in her golf cart with her family and dog, Charlie.

Judy is survived by her loving husband, Dwight; children Christine, Chad (Ann), Angela (Jamie), Nicole (Christopher), and Troy (Chimwemwe); grandchildren Amanda, Tyler, Ryan, Andrew, Zachary, Jonah, and Peyton; great-grandchildren Teagan, Taelyn, Tenleigh, Jentry, and Taisley. She is also survived by her brother Bruce, along with many other family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Annette Raasch, and siblings Donald, Delores, Joyce, Dennis, and Daniel.