SWALEDALE — Judy P. Fessler, 74, of Swaledale, died Saturday, September 19, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. She is remembered for the family and friends she welcomed into her home, the things she made for those she loved, and the adventures she shared with her husband, Dick.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, September 24, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake. The funeral service will begin there at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Clear Lake Cemetery.
Judy Paulette Paine was born October 2, 1951, in Mason City, to Paul and Ruth (Amundson) Paine. After her father died while she was in high school, Judy and her mother moved to Clear Lake to live with her grandparents, Jim and Doris Amundson. Judy graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1969.
She met Richard “Dick” Fessler at the Surf Ballroom. They married June 20, 1970, in Clear Lake, settled in Swaledale and raised their sons, Chad and BJ. They shared more than 52 years of marriage before Dick died in 2023.
Judy helped Dick on the family farm and with the trucking business while pursuing work of her own. She was a home interior consultant, worked in real estate, made desserts for a local coffee shop and spent 24 years in customer service at Mediacom before retiring in 2023.
Faith and service were part of her life. Judy was active in Swaledale United Methodist Women, serving as president and on its regional board. She taught Sunday school, made costumes for Christmas programs and helped with other church activities.
Judy and Dick enjoyed motorcycle trips, camping and four-wheeling with family and friends. At home, she quilted and sewed gifts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cooked holiday meals and baked desserts. Her sons’ friends called her “Momma”; later, her grandchildren’s friends came to know her as Grandma. Her door was open to them all.
Judy is survived by her sons, Chad (Tonya) Fessler and Brian “BJ” (Amy) Fessler; grandchildren Sierra Fessler, Alex Fessler, Keagan Fessler, Makia (Bailey) Miller, Trinity (Zane) Nichols, Zachary Doss, Kaylee Truax-Fessler, Taleigha Fessler, Harmoney (Caiden) Skiye, Ja’Laura Fessler, Daniella Fessler, RJ Truax-Fessler, Cody Truax-Fessler, Tryston Fessler, Braydon Fessler, Remington Reason, Kaylea Fessler and Sharli Fessler; great-grandchildren Briella Muller, Beau Miller, Barrett Fisher and OakLynn Lau; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her mother and stepfather, Ruth and Glen Willis; her father, Paul Paine; her brother, Gary Paine; and her grandparents, Jim and Doris Amundson.
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