Judith Elaine (Wendt) Fick was born to the Reverend Walter Samuel and Doris Louise (Carlson) Wendt on August 12, 1941, in Ottumwa, Iowa. She was baptized on September 28, 1941, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa. In 1944 the family moved to Belle Plaine, Iowa. In 1951 the family relocated to Davenport, Iowa, where Judy was confirmed on May 22, 1955, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Growing up, Judy had a love for music. She started taking piano lessons at age eight and learned to play French horn in middle school. At age 16 Judy became an organist at Holy Cross. Throughout high school Judy worked at numerous jobs to earn money to pay for college. She graduated from Davenport High School in 1959 and continued her education at St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas. She graduated on June 4, 1961, with an Associate Degree in Parish Work.
Judy accepted a call to be a parish worker at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota, where she met Marvin. On April 27, 1963, Judy was united in marriage to Marvin Henry Fick at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Davenport, and the couple moved to the family farm west of Luverne. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Thomas, Paul, Ruth, and Mary.
Judy was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa, for many years followed by St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota. She played organ and piano at both churches. She was active in her faith, attending Bible Study and serving on the Board of Social Ministry and Evangelism. Judy enjoyed her Extension Club and was a member of the Luverne Community Handbell Choir. She was a board member and piano teacher at Luverne Street Music and volunteered at Sanford Hospital in Luverne. Judy enjoyed cake decorating, making cakes for her children’s birthdays, piano recitals, and other special occasions. Judy had many hobbies including reading, puzzles, knitting, crocheting, and making greeting cards. Judy loved gathering with friends and family, cooking and baking for them, and playing cards and board games with them.
Judy was a loving helpmate to Marv. She was a city girl who quickly learned farm chores, including driving tractor and feeding calves. The two were committed to raising their family in the Christian faith. Judy absolutely loved giving piano and organ lessons to generations of students over the last 60+ years and served as a mentor to many.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Judy passed away at the Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 83 years and 7 months.
Judy is survived by her children, Thomas (Jodi) Fick of Luverne, Paul (Lois) Fick of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Ruth (Ron) Immerfall of Little Falls, Minnesota, and Mary (Nathan) Sandbulte of Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren, Benjamin Fick, Erin (Benny) Ng, Zak (Maggie) Fick, Kelsey (Amos) Buelow, Noah Fick, Mackenzie Richardson, Elliott Immerfall, Andrew Sandbulte, and Tyler Sandbulte; five great-grandchildren, Kiellie and Saellix Fick, Charlotte and Mirabelle Buelow, and Ethan Richardson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin; parents; and her brother, John Wendt.
Visitation will be Friday, March 28, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. A prayer service and memory sharing will follow at 7 p.m.
Funeral service will be Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
