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Judy Kellar, 53, of Watertown and formerly of Aberdeen was taken into the Lord’s arms peacefully and unexpectedly Saturday, April 7, 2012 at her home in Watertown.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the United Church of Faulkton with Rev. Gregory Berkey officiating. Burial followed in the Cresbard Cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Luce Funeral Home, Faulkton with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.

Judy Louise Martschinske was born March 16, 1959 in Faulkton SD to Edward W. and Ollie (Connell) Martschinske, the youngest of 7 children. She grew up on her family farm outside of Faulkton, graduating from Faulkton High School and attended Northern State University.

In 1978 Judy was united in marriage to Patrick Kellar, settling in Aberdeen and raising their three children together. At the age of 30, she continued her lifelong love of learning, and returned to college at NSU, receiving her degree in 1991. An impeccably dedicated learner, she taught chemistry and industrial technologies while still an undergraduate student.  One of her proudest and most enjoyable endeavors was being a “non-trad” and serving as editor of NSU’s student newspaper, The Exponent, and annual, The Pasque. Any student or instructor to encounter Judy met with a vibrant and always positive friend.

After graduation, Judy worked several years for Cendant, and after moving to Watertown, stayed very busy volunteering with local nursing homes, bible studies, First Baptist Church, and took great joy in providing transportation and support to her friends whom she met less fortunate than she.

In 2009 at the age of 50, Judy decided to return to college again, enrolling at Mt. Marty majoring in Criminal Justice where she participated in the Citizens’ Police Academy as part of her student internship program.  

Judy took joy of every day of her life, but her special joys were pursuing more and more education, camping, family hunting reunions, countless board games with her children, reading her Bible and especially enjoying her four grandchildren.

Judy is survived by her proud children: Brian (Christel) of Aberdeen, Jeremiah of Bend, OR and Jennifer of Vermillion; 4 grandchildren: Micayla, Leo and Lincoln Kellar of Aberdeen and Callie Broderson of Vermillion; sisters: Donna Powers of Brookings, Gloria (David) Barber of Westminster, CO, Susan Laubach of Vida, MT and brothers Gary (Claire) of Camas, WA and Donald of Homestead, FL and very special friend, Gary Reed, of Watertown.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents: Edward and Ollie; a sister Marilyn and brother-in-law Lynn Laubach.

The family requests that any memorials be made to the Faulkton High School band program.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Judy’s arrangements.