Judy Kay Kassman, age 77, gained her angel wings on July 2, 2024, surrounded by her family after a lengthy illness.
She was born in Yuma, Colorado to Robert and Marjorie (Scott) Prather on June 12, 1947. She grew up in Eckley, Colorado with her three brothers Joe, Lloyd (Buddy) and Danny. They later moved to Yuma, Colorado where she attended the Yuma schools and graduated in 1965 from Yuma High School.
She married Donald “Donnie” Dresen and to this union Robin Annette was born. In 1970 Donnie was killed in a car accident and left Judy a widow. A few years later she met and married Wilbert “Willie” Kassman and to this union Jason Ray was born. After divorcing Willie, Judy moved her and her children back to Yuma. She lived next door to her parents, where they happily helped her raise her children. As her parents got older and their health declined, Judy reciprocated by taking care of them until their passing. Judy had numerous jobs in her life from working at the Yuma Life Care to waitressing at the Wig Wam, which she later owned and operated and finally bookkeeping and doing income tax returns, which she voluntarily did for family and friends up until the time of her death.
She was a loving, devoted, patient and supportive Mom and Grandma. The bright spots of her life were her grandsons Seth, Luke and great grandson Nolan. They affectionately called her Gma. She loved spoiling and doting on them and followed them to whatever school or sporting event they were in. Seth and Luke would argue who her favorite was, and she would always say “Seth is my favorite oldest grandson and Luke is my favorite youngest grandson” but we all know after Nolan was born, he was her favorite. She loved her family and friends and left no one ever doubting that. She was always just a phone call away for everyone and was always willing to listen and give her very level-headed advice. We were blessed to be touched by her love, wisdom and guidance, and her sometimes sarcastic and sassy sense of humor.
If Judy wasn’t following her family or passing on her words of wisdom, she enjoyed listening to music, dancing, reading, genealogy, crocheting, sewing, collecting angels and doing puzzle books to keep her mind sharp, which it was until the very end. She also loved watching a variety of TV shows and passed on her love of cartoons and scary movies to her kids and grandkids.
She is survived by her children Robin Brown and Jason Kassman, grandsons Seth Brown and fiancé Tom Bainbridge, Luke Brown and wife Emily Tate and her great grandson Nolan. She is also survived by her brothers Joe Ramsey and wife Barbara, Lloyd Prather and wife Margaret, Danny Prather and wife Cheryl and sisters-in-law Linda Mekelburg and husband Leonard and Sharon Dresen and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Robert “Bob” and Marjorie Prather and her husband Donald “Donnie” Dresen.
Judy lived her life her way and left this earth the same way. Her life was too short for many of us, but we know she is dancing through the streets of heaven and was met by her loved ones and pets that have passed on before her. To say that her family and friends will greatly miss her is an understatement.
A celebration of life will be held on August 3,2024, at 10:00 am at Baucke Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials to the Baucke Funeral Home would be appreciated.