Judy Mae Nephew, 73, of Fertile passed away following a courageous 24 year battle with ALS on Saturday, June 29, 2019 in Fair Meadow Nursing Home. She was born August 8, 1945 to Helmer and Hannah (Halland) Peterson in McIntosh, MN.

Judy grew up in Hill River Township and attended a country school there through grade 8. She graduated in 1963 from McIntosh High School. She moved to Minneapolis after high school to work with Our Own Hardware distribution center as a Key Punch Operator. She worked there until meeting the love of her life, Roger Nephew. They were united in marriage on January 20, 1966 in Volga, SD. Together, they lived in Georgia and Massachusetts while Roger was in the service. They then moved to Fertile to the family farm where they raised their children. In 1973, Judy started her career working for Fair Meadow Nursing home. While working at the nursing home she earned her LPN degree, retiring in 1996. She was baptized and confirmed in Vernes Lutheran Church in rural McIntosh.

Judy enjoyed spending time refinishing furniture, gardening, sewing, and cooking for her family. Judy was especially proud of her extended family at Fair Meadow Nursing Home and was very grateful for the excellent care she received.

She was a longtime member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Fertile, MN.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Andrew, Glen, and Donald; two sisters, Margaret, and Phyllis; and infant brother, Robert.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 53 years, Roger Nephew of Fertile; two sons, James (Mary) Nephew of Red Lake Falls and Michael (Kristin) Nephew of Glendive, Montana; grandson, Justin (Heather) Nephew of Fertile; brothers, John (Donna) Peterson of McIntosh and Roger Peterson of Cudahay, WI; and sister, Ruby Peterson of Minneapolis.

Funeral Service: 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN and a visitation one hour prior to the service.

Interment: Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.