Judy Joy Shuman of Helena, Mont., passed away peacefully, Jan. 30, 2024, with her sons Boe and Jason by her side.
Judy was born on Jan. 21, 1940, in Richey, Mont., to Myrtle and Ralph Wienke and was the oldest of their six daughters. Judy often told stories about all the adventures and mischief her and her sisters would get into while growing up in the small eastern Montana town.
After she graduated from high school in 1959, she attended college in Denver, Colo. From there, Judy returned to Montana and began working for Bell Telephone in Wolf Point. That is where she met a co-worker Edna Shuman and the two became good friends. Edna introduced Judy to her big brother, Bud. The two began a relationship and then marriage that led to a family of three boys, Rusty, Boe and Jason. Bud and Judy were married for 49 years until Bud passed away in April of 2016.
In the early years of their marriage, Bud, Judy and their two boys Rusty and Boe moved to the Glasgow Air Force Base and then overseas to Iran where they lived for two years for Bud’s job. While living abroad, they made many lifelong friendships.
The family returned to Glasgow. Judy worked at the local cable television company as clerical staff until they moved to Helena in 1986. While in Helena, Judy continued her career with T.C.I. Cable Company and stayed there until her retirement in 2003.
In 1987, Judy’s oldest son, Rusty, passed away in a vehicle accident and she mourned his death until her own.
In 1997, Judy became a grandmother, a title she took very seriously and easily was one of the best! Judy was the grandmother to five grandchildren total, four boys and one girl. It was no secret Judy hoped for a girl and bought a dress each time there was a baby announcement, just in case.
She enjoyed being a grandmother with all her heart and became close to each one of her grandchildren. Bud and Judy’s house was where you would find the grandkids after school and on weekends. Judy liked to point out that her grandsons were much easier to take care of than her own sons, who gave her gray hair. During that quality time, Judy passed down her love of chocolate, shopping and taught her granddaughter, Mackenzie, how to bake the secret family recipe, chocolate cake with brown sugar frosting. Judy was able to enjoy this treat made for her by Mac on her final birthday.
After her retirement in 2003, Judy, along with a few of her sisters and cousins, decided to become snowbirds and traveled to their property in Mesa, Ariz., during the winters. Judy was able to enjoy Arizona and several other trips with her sisters (the Wienke Girls, as they are known, are always on the move and seldom sitting still) and other family members. Judy would come back to her home in Montana and have the best stories (and plenty of knick knacks) of her many adventures, from shopping, listening and dancing to music, train rides with wine and many, many giggles.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; son, Rusty; and husband, Bud.
Judy is survived by her two sons, Boe (Kami) and Jason (Kris); five grandchildren, Kaden, Carson, Mackenzie, Lantz and Bearek; her five sisters, (Elaine, Sheryl, Diana, Della and Peggy); sistersin- law and brothers-in-law; along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Simple Cremation Montana at 315 E. Sixth Ave. in Helena with a reception to follow.
Condolences can be sent to 907 Menlo Park Rd, Helena, MT 59602. The family would like everyone to enjoy a Hersey Bar in her honor of remembrance.
Simple Cremation Montana assisted the family.
(Paid Obituary)
