Judy Ellen Quade, 73

Judy Ellen Quade went with Jesus on Sept. 29, 2019, surrounded by love, laughter from memories shared and heavy tears at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

She was born on Aug. 27, 1946, to Eunice E. Beller Quade and Melvin W. Quade in Mason City, Wash., at Coulee Dam Hospital. Judy joined her brother Aaron, 5, and sister Joyce, 2. At the age of 2, the family moved to Kalispell. Shortly after, her father was tragically killed in a logging accident while working on the Hungry Horse Dam.

Judy attended grade school at Edgerton, Demersville and Elrod, and middle school at Linderman. She graduated with the Class of 1964 at Flathead High School. At the age of 18 she moved to San Francisco where she did secretarial work. Judy was a “flower child” and attended Woodstock, 1969. Some years later, Judy moved to Boise, Idaho, where she attended and graduated from Boise State University Class of 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, and an emphasis in art education. During that time, she met her husband, Brian. Together they started and owned an outdoor furniture business named Creative Forest Products. Sales went international, and they traveled overseas to places such as Australia and England. Unfortunately, 10 years later the business burned down and Brian and Judy divorced in 1986 after 16 years of marriage. Judy then went on to work for Sysco in Boise as a bookkeeper/secretary. Shortly after, in the early 1990s, she moved to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, with a friend. A short five years later, Judy relocated to the Seattle area, to Issaquah, Wash. While there, she was employed by King County, doing secretarial work for mental health services.

In 2010, Judy moved back home to Kalispell to be closer to family. She worked for Dolan Family Vision in Kalispell until roughly 2015. She was wonderful with secretarial duties, as well as bookkeeping.

Judy owned several Volkswagen bugs, and was a gypsy at heart. She thoroughly enjoyed movies and music, and she excelled in drawing, especially portraits. She also found joy in creating pottery and ceramics. She owned a loom and loved weaving too. Playing guitar and keyboard were also longtime-loved hobbies; singing and playing Janis Joplin, “Me & Bobby McGee,” is one fond example. Judy was also a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell.

Throughout her life, Judy had a beloved dog named Lady and two kitties, Thelma and Louise.

We feel as though you left us too soon, but we have faith that you’re in a heavenly place now. We miss you beyond words. Our numerous memories and belly laughs together will live on in our hearts and daily lives until we see your sweet face again. It’s never goodbye; it’s until we meet again.

Judy truly exuded love. She had an unforgettable laugh, the biggest heart, and a deep endless love for her family and friends that she never failed to show.

Judy is survived by many people that love her, including one sister, Alice Adams, one brother, Mark McKinley, two stepsiblings, nieces and nephews — two of them that she especially adored, loved and spoiled as her own, Alexandria Neddo and Charles Neddo, as well as numerous close cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Joyce and Aaron Quade.

A memorial service and celebration of Judy’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell. All are welcome to join. A reception and an array of goodies will follow at the church.