Judy Cherry, 84, of Waverly, IA, passed peacefully at the Cedar Valley Hospice, Waterloo.
January 15, 1939 – March 17, 2023
A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, March 24, 2023 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Waverly.
Judy struggled with a blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) for many years, eventually succumbing to it. She fought hard, though, and lived longer than expected, allowing her to have many visits and amazing meals with family and friends in the last few years.
The daughter of Lavera Ann (Westendorf) and Ewald Bruch, Judy was born January 15, 1939, in Waterloo, IA. She graduated from East High School in 1957 and attended nursing school for one year at Coe College before choosing a different path. She married Roger Matz on April 12, 1958, and together they had four children: Mike, Michelle, Chris, and Jason. On December 31, 1998, Judy married James Cherry in Cedar Falls and the couple made their home in Ventura and then Waverly.
Judy completed her education at Minnesota State University, Mankato and had many life roles: she was a mom, a dreamer, a traveler, a wife, a friend, a businesswoman. Judy struck people with her fun-loving and eccentric personality and possessed a compassionate perspective toward all people and the world.
Judy began her professional career as a teacher in Sleepy Eye, MN before helping her husband Roger acquire and manage small newspapers including The Redfield Press and The Spirit Lake Beacon. Judy later owned and operated the Okoboji Grill, in Okoboji, IA where she especially enjoyed collaborating with the young staff. Judy loved good food, travel, boating Minnesota lakes and rivers, reading books and magazines, games, movies, and PBS. She loved and cared for many family dogs. Judy gardened all her life and in recent years grew beautiful tomatoes that she shared freely.
She was a gourmet home chef and loved cooking meals from the many cookbooks collected on her travels around the country and to Europe. Passing a love of good food to her children, Judy loved being in the kitchen talking and enjoying a glass of while we cooked for her. Cooking a good meal to share or dining out with family and friends were one of Judy’s greatest joys.
Judy was a wonderful grandmother and enjoyed caring for young grandchildren, taking them on adventures and outings and shuttling them to ski, dance, soccer, baseball, and hockey. She was a sharp and competitive Spite and Malice player and especially loved teaching it and playing it with her grandchildren. All the better when she won!
Surviving are her husband of 24 years, Jim Cherry of Waverly; her children Mike (Sally Shuffield) Matz, of Durango, CO; Michelle (Greg) Holt, of Cedar Falls; Chris (Jennifer Reynolds) Matz, of Denver, CO and Jason (Stephanie) Matz, of Deephaven, MN; her grandchildren: Carson, Celia, Kaylee, Tristan, Japhy, Henry, Sawyer, Wynn, Rider, Marin, Jasper, and Beckett; her step-children Mike (Audra) Cherry, Dana (Mark) Watson, and Kim (Tony Green) Cherry; her step-grandchildren Rebecca, Ryan, Leah, Tyler, Nate, Jacob, and Rolie; and her 6 step-great grandchildren; and her many good friends.
Preceding her in death are her first husband, Roger, and brothers Robert and Wayne.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Valley Hospice.
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