Judy Mae Gilman

Judy Mae (Church) Gilman, 82, of Spencer, Iowa passed away peacefully with family by her side on Monday, May 15, 2023. Judy was born on April 8, 1941, to Harvey and Ruth (Anundson) Church in Volga, South Dakota. She married Robert “Bob” Franklin Gilman on May 1, 1960. They were together for 24 years before Bob’s death in 1984.  

In 1965, Judy and Bob moved to Luverne, Minnesota where they raised four sons Robert, David, Michael, and Roy. Judy moved to Spencer in 1989 to be closer to family. There, she met her partner, Ray Davis, where they happily spent more than 30 years together.

Throughout her life, Judy enjoyed traveling, camping, gardening, and cooking. She had an impressive garden and introduced family to many new rhubarb desserts. She loved birdwatching and collected bird houses. Judy’s boys and their families were the highlight of her life. She adored spending time with family and always enjoyed get-togethers with her sons, wives, grandchildren and extended family.  

Judy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob; mother and father, Harvey and Ruth Church; brother, John; and sister, Audrey.

Judy is survived by her partner, Ray Davis of Spencer; four sons, Robert, Jr. and wife, Tracy of Plano, Texas; David and wife, Robin of Big Lake, Minnesota; Michael and wife, Anna of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Roy and wife, Maria of Maplewood, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren located in Minnesota, Texas, Colorado, Norway and Japan; 2 future great-grandchildren arriving this summer; two sisters, Bonnie Axtell and husband, Jerry of Spencer, and Beckey Gagnon of Spencer; brother, Norm Church and Sandy Rybacki of Lake Placid, Florida; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial service will be held on Friday, June 2, at 11:00am at Grace Lutheran Church (500 N. Kniss Ave, Luverne). Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 3, from 4:00-6:00pm at Judy’s home in Spencer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Pillars Hospice Home located in Oakdale, Minnesota. Please visit www.beyondhospicemn.org/donate for online donations and specify Judy Gilman in the comments, or mail to Episcopal Homes Foundation (490 East Lynnhurst Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104) and include a note specifying your donation to The Pillars Hospice Home in memory of Judy Gilman.