Judy May Kunzelmann

Judy May Kunzelmann passed away with peace and comfort, to the heavens above on 30 May 2025. She was born on 26 July 1945 to Wayne and Betha (Mooso) Larsen in Vanport, Oregon. Judy led a simple life and was committed to her religious beliefs. Many of her favorite moments were with her mom (her best friend) and her dad. She often told stories about when she was young. She was easy going and sweet yet ornery and obstinate depending on her disposition. She was a strong woman and walked through life impervious to most things but if she had a mission she would charge through like a Sherman tank. Judy started out working as a beautician and later married John, gave birth to their son, their proudest accomplishment in life. In the early 80’s, as a family, they started E-J’s Enterprises Custom Welding. Although this was a new venture, they weathered through the rocky times, stuck together and made it work. The business was successful in its own rights and provided for the family till John retired. When her son was in high school, she went back to work and did so for over 35 years as a beautician. She cared deeply for her ladies, often traveling to their homes to wash their hair when they were unable to come into the shop or get out and about, even after she retired at 75. Her ladies and others who knew her symbolically identified her with the ladybug, which has several recognized associations of good fortune, love, and blessings. As a hobby, she crocheted dozens of doilies and hats. She was most delighted by her completion of the crochet of the “Last Supper” that took nearly a year in the making. For just over 20 years, John and Judy prepared 50-pound care packages with cookies for their kids to share with other Sailors while they were in the Navy. Only later to be convinced to scale back to a compromised 25-pound care package. She was modest about her ability as a master seamstress, canned more vegetables than humanely possible, played solitaire with a lifetime winning streak, found joy in watching birds, and people pass by her home, took pleasure in gardening and found gratification in teaching here grandkids how to bake cookies, fudge, breads, pies and hockey pucks. After John’s passing, she spent several years traveling to visit her son’s family and her grandkids while taking part in many adventures while they grew up. She was proud and talked about them often to her friends. There have been many angels that helped her in life, so many opportunities given to her for fulfillment, adventures given to and for her to embrace and arms and ears extended with love and support from family, friends, neighbors and strangers whose hearts were genuinely giving. She was cared for, looked after and loved by her son and his family, as well as many skilled care workers, and friends and family of her choosing during her life. The thing she enjoyed most during her last year were the jokes written on the bottom of her menu and watching her birds on the feeder outside her window. She got a kick out of the little things in life they meant the most to her. Although her last days became uncomfortable, she was graceful about accepting that. One of the things she did was sit next to her beloved son and gaze out her window just watching the birds fly by. In was not soon after she slipped away with her family by her side. Judy is survived by her son, daughter-n-law and two grandchildren, and a brother. She is preceded in death by her husband, John of Albany, OR; her parents Bertha and Wayne Larsen of Crawfordville, OR; and one brother. Her family recognizes the compassion and grace that was clearly abundant in her life given to her from family, her surrogate family of choice, friends, neighbors and strangers alike. Many thanks to Samaritan Emergency Room staff and Evergreen Hospice House of Albany, Or for all the compassion and care they provided during her last days. An informal service will be held at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens, Albany, Oregon on 11 June 2025 at 10:30 a.m. PST. Friends are welcomed to attend.

Judy May Kunzelmann

July 26, 1945 - May 30, 2025