Judy (Lederbrand) Day

Judy Lederbrand Day, 72, of Mill Creek, Washington, formerly of Rochester, Illinois, went home to her Lord on Friday, September 27, 2019.  She died peacefully in her sleep while a guest of dear friends in Glenarm, Illinois.

She was born June 11, 1947 in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter of Ralph J. and Lucille Loyd Lederbrand. She married John Day on August 31, 1968 at First Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Illinois. 

Judy grew up on a farm in Cooper Township.  A farm girl through and through, she was active in 4-H showing registered shorthorn cattle at county and state fairs and in Chicago at the international.  She was proud of the many ribbons and trophies she received for the family's cattle.  She attended Rochester Schools and graduated from Rochester High School in 1965.

Judy graduated from Millikin University with a BS in accounting in 1969.  She met her future husband on the first day of classes when he sat next to her in an economics class and initiated a conversation that led to a date, a three-year courtship, and a marriage that spanned 51 years. She passed the day before her 50th class reunion.

Her career included such highlights as serving as the first bursar at Sangamon State University and as an accountant with Pillsbury Mills, the state education office, and United Savings and Loan, which merged to become Security Bank.  She achieved many promotions and retired from the bank as Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer.  Judy had an incredible work ethic and accomplished her professional achievements humbly.  In retirement she enjoyed traveling, reading, and spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren.

Family, particularly her sons and later her grandchildren, was her first priority. When her sons played sports she rarely missed a game, though she confessed to not always understand soccer.  When Phil played on the first football team at Rochester, and later at Culver-Stockton College, she attended every game.  When Brad competed in Scholastic Bowl meets, Judy was there. She loved boating and camping at Lake Shelbyville and driving her sons and friends to special activities.  Judy never forgot to send a birthday, anniversary and Christmas card to her boys and their spouses.  She was a quick wit but usually just poked fun at herself.  Above all she was a sweet and genuinely kind person who always put others first.

She supported her husband in every major activity of his life.  When he was editor of the Millikin student newspaper, she was there to help get each weekly edition written, proofed, and published.  She was his left and right hands when he directed children's musical productions at South Fork Church of Christ. She often accompanied him when he campaigned for the Rochester school board.  Judy's caring nature and selflessness were ever present in her good humor, her commitment to her husband, and her devotion to her sons. She was immensely proud of her two grandchildren who gifted her the name “Gram Gram” and were always there to help her in any way she needed.

Judy loved Rochester; when she moved to the Seattle area, she often commented that she lived in Seattle, but Rochester was home. Truly the Lord allowed Judy a final homecoming to the community she loved, and then a homecoming to her place in the Kingdom.

She was a member of Pathways Church in Mill Creek, and a former member of South Fork Church of Christ and Rochester Christian Church.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents and by several aunts, uncles and cousins. 

She is survived by her husband, John; and two sons, Brad (wife, Anne Marie Vincent) of Charlottesville, Virginia and Phil (wife, Katrina) of Edmonds, Washington; grandchildren, Isabelle and Cooper, both of Edmonds. As an only child, Judy was very close to her Holzworth cousins, who considered one another brother and sister: Nancy Mavis, Penny Tohlen, Karen Tatham, Bill Holzworth and Jeff Holzworth.  Also surviving are her adopted LaRue family, who were not adopted formally, but rather by love. Finally, Judy leaves her best friend, Kathy Law, whose friendship she cherished for forty years.

Judy cared for many philanthropic groups, but she had a special heart for the hungry.  Judy was a thrifty person who preferred make a donation to honor those who have passed. The family suggests contributions to her favorite charities, NorthwestHarvest.org in Seattle or to the Central Illinois Foodbank in Springfield. 

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 12:00 noon on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester with Reverend David Upchurch officiating.  Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery.

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