NASHUA — Judy Kay Hoy, 77, of Nashua, died Saturday, July 25, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Sheffield, surrounded by her family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory, Olson Chapel in Nashua, with the Rev. Rob Williams officiating.
Friends may greet the family from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home before the service.
Interment will follow at Cedar View Cemetery in rural Ionia. Herbie Decker, Terry Decker, Brian Janssen, Tanner Hoy, LaMont Hoy and Riley Butters will serve as pallbearers. Virgil Hoy, Wayland Bean and John Steere will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Born August 12, 1948, in Austin, Minnesota, Judy was the daughter of Elmer and Julia Sippill Hanson. Her family moved to the Rudd area when she was young, and she graduated from the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock school system in 1966.
Judy met Jerry Hoy during high school, and their relationship grew in the years that followed. They were married December 6, 1969, at St. John Lutheran Church in Nashua.
The couple settled in the Nashua area, where they farmed and raised their family. Judy cared for their children while also tending the home, garden and animals that were part of life on the farm.
She planted a large garden each year and spent many hours harvesting and canning its produce. Her work provided food for the family throughout the year and reflected the steady care she brought to daily life.
Judy’s children, Allan, Debbie, Darla and Arlen, remained at the center of her life. She offered them consistent love, support and encouragement as they grew and established families of their own.
After her children became older, Judy worked as a caregiver for several area families. Her patience and kindness made her well suited for caring for others.
She later joined C & W Rustic Hollow Shelter for cats, where she worked for more than 20 years. Judy had a special affection for the cats in her care, and her long service at the shelter reflected her lifelong compassion for animals.
Judy also enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, other puzzles, reading and watching the Game Show Network. She found happiness in quiet drives through the countryside with no particular destination, simply enjoying the scenery and the journey.
She is survived by her children, Allan and Kim Hoy of Sheffield, Debbie Hoy of Charles City, Darla and Wayland Bean of Ionia, and Arlen and Shelley Hoy of Marble Rock; seven grandchildren, Krystal and Jeff Grubb, Kelsie Hoy, LaMont Hoy, Riley Butters, Tanner Hoy, Abagael Hoy and Mackenzie Bean; six great-grandchildren, Teegan, Haizen, Hadlee, Kamyra and Zynova Winfrey, and Leo Grubb; a sister, Jane and Jack Balkenende of Mason City; and a brother-in-law, Virgil Hoy of Nashua.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry Hoy, in 2022; and two brothers, Jerry Hanson and Everett Hanson.
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory, Olson Chapel in Nashua, is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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