Judith Kellerman

Obituary Judith Ann Kellerman better known as Judy, passed away June 2nd, 2018 at her home in Glacier View Meadows near Livermore, CO. after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Judy was born July 26th, 1945 in Galveston, TX where her Father was stationed with the military. She was born to Vernon and Inez (Peterson) Heggen. They moved back to Wheaton, MN and Judy resided there throughout her youth. Judy was an only child, but grew up with her cousins who were more like siblings. Growing up, she enjoyed summers at their lake cabin on Lake Pomme de terre, working with her Grandpa at the family farm near Mud lake and riding/caring for her horse, Lady. She often spoke of her fun times performing with the Polka Dots, a local high school band, with whom she played clarinet. She had a passion for adventure and a love for animals. When she was young, she used it to nurse any stray animal she found back to health. Her love of nature and the outdoors were strong throughout her life. Judy graduated from Wheaton High School in 1963 and went on to attend college at Moorhead State. During this time, she was introduced to her future husband Steve Kellerman through a blind date set up by their roommates. Judy completed a degree in art education from CSU in Fort Collins, CO, where Judy and Steve, who had also moved from Moorhead, MN to Fort Collins, remained friends. After school, Judy moved to Gibbonsville, ID. During that time, she worked for the Forest Service and helped out as a camp hand with her good friends' outfitting business. Throughout her life, she often shared fond memories from this time. She married Curt Hutchings and had 3 children with him while living in Idaho. They later divorced and she moved back to Wheaton, MN where she resided until 2003. Judy dedicated her life to raising her 3 daughters and all of their friends. Her loving, giving, and kind heart always welcomed friends into her home and on family trips. This kept her home full of love and laughter. Judy's ability to listen, guide, and see the best in each person made her a magnet for long conversations with many of her children's friends. She took the time in life to look for and take advantage of teachable moments. She taught us to love nature, look for the beauty in everything, be kind, be understanding, and see the good in everyone and everything. Judy loved the outdoors and spent much of her time with her children doing activities such as, camping, making up songs, and being part of nature. While in MN, she always spoke about her beloved mountains and longed to be with them again. During her time in Wheaton, Judy worked for the Bethlehem Covenant church, the Wheaton Gazette, the Traverse County Deputy Recorder and later as the County Recorder. In 1999, Steve Kellerman and Judy reconnected and began to date...again! They united in Marriage May 18th, 2002. Judy remained in Wheaton for their first year of marriage to allow her youngest daughter to graduate from high school. She always put her children first and this carried on to her grandchildren as well. Her dedication to being a parent/grandparent and giving all of herself was obvious in everything she did. Judy and Steve Kellerman continued to put family first and enjoy the outdoors together. They built a beautiful home in the mountains near Fort Collins, CO. They enjoyed hiking, trout fishing, and being active in the Glacier View Clean up crew. In the Glacier View Clean up crew, she helped maintain and build mountain trails. They did many backpacking wilderness trips including summiting Longs Peak and a 7 day trip in which they were dropped off by the Durango Silverton Steam Engine! Mom was strong, had great endurance, and a stubbornness which was a great attribute! Mom and Steve enjoyed travels to the east coast, west coast, midwest, Mexico and Norway. We have all laughed a lot and loved all of our time as a family. Christmas of 2017 brought the unexpected surprise of illness, something Judy had never really dealt with in life personally. She bravely took the news of Pancreatic cancer with amazing grace and did what she had always done, tried to protect her family from the pain that comes with disease. She passed away June 2nd, 2018 at her home surrounded by love. She maintained good spirits and took advantage of what life had left to offer during these challenging months. She sat on the deck and enjoyed the birds, listened to the wind and smelled the pine as often as her health would permit. Judy is survived by her husband Steve, her children Jessica Hutchings, Jaylene (Robbie) Schmidt, Katie (Ross) Holzworth, her step-children Abigail Kellerman, Tim (JJ) Kellerman, Matt Kellerman, her grandchildren Caleb Tamura, Qadira Eshelbrenner, Taylin and Carver Schmidt and Aspen and Willow Holzworth, Along with her beloved "CUH-sons"! She is preceded in death by her parents Vern and Inez Heggen and her step-daughter Tria Eshelbrenner. We will be celebrating Judy's life with a remembrance service Saturday June 9th, 2018 4:00 pm at the: Redemption Church 565 N Cleveland Ave Loveland, CO 80537 Grievance cards can be sent to: Steve Kellerman 2080 Green Mountain Drive Livermore, CO 80536 Or donate to The World Wildlife Federation in Judy's honor https://support.worldwildlife.org/site/SPageNavigator/donate_to_charity Memorial Service Redemption Church Saturday, June 09, 2018 4:00 PM Email Details 565 North Clevland Avenue Loveland, Colorado 80537 Directions Read More Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Judith Kellerman