Judith R. Oelkers

Judith Rose Oelkers, age 78, died on December 26, 2021 after a valiant 4 ½ year battle with lung cancer. As a non-smoker, she was the recipient of many new treatment options that allowed her to beat many odds and enjoy a few extra years surrounded by those she loved. Judy enjoyed a 35+ year career as a nurse, specializing in cardiac care and spending the majority of her career at Fairview Southdale Hospital and Minnesota Heart Clinic. She loved being a nurse along with all the special friendships she created along the way including her lifelong nursing friends from Methodist Kahler School of Nursing and Fairview Southdale. Judy was a loyal friend to many including neighborhood friends that she held close for decades from Wind Lake, WI, Burnsville and Lakeville, MN. She loved her Jazzercise community along with volunteering at Mission Outpost in Burnsville, and the Lakeville Area Arts Center. She was an avid reader and an even more avid shopper with a keen sense for the sale rack. She had an amazing sense of style and was always the best dressed at family events. She and Tom had a passion for travel and enjoyed lovely adventures with close friends and family including favorite family vacations to Disney. She is survived by her adoring husband of 54 years, Thomas; her two daughters, Angie (Eric) Olson and Jenny Oelkers; four grandchildren that were the light of her life, Bailey, Lars, Jacob, and Abigail; sister, Eva Jane Hamann; and brother, Terry (Kathy) Hamann. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13801 Fairview Drive in Burnsville. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. If desired, and in lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Lakeville Area Arts Center, NC Little Hospice, Caring Bridge, or Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing Alumni Scholarship Fund.