Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – South Chapel in New Ulm. Interment will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery. Visitation will be 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 30th at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – South Chapel.

To leave an online condolence for her family or to sign the guestbook go to: www.mvfh.org

Judy is survived by her children Ricky (Kathy) Rathmann, Lori (Dean) Fellbaum, Lisa (Norman) Grathwohl, and Peggy (Dwight) Love. Grandchildren Jenny (Scott) Kral, Justin (Kelsey) Kitzberger, Rachelle (Luke) Cihak, Joslyn (Mike Amberson) Fellbaum, Jaden Fellbaum, Lexi (Shane Greenslit) Grathwohl, Bridget Grathwohl, Garrett Grathwohl, Keaton (Annie Semmens) Love, and Mason Love. Great-grandchildren Jeffrey Kral, Brooke Kral, Cash Hester, Maddox Cihak, and Henrik Amberson. Former husband Ray Rathmann. Sisters Joan Berdan and Mickey (Dale) Witt, brother Joe (Jody) Brey, sister-in-law Pat Brey. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and Sunset Apartment friends.

Judy is preceded in death by parents Norbert and Irene (Warta) Brey, sister Joyce Brey, brother Ron Brey, and brother-in-law Randy Berdan.

Judy was born on July 30, 1943, to Norbert and Irene Brey. She grew up on a farm by Lafayette, attended Country School District 53 and graduated from New Ulm High School in 1961. Following graduation, she worked at State Bond and Mortgage. On May 22, 1963, Judy was united in marriage to Ray Rathmann. Their union was blessed with four children who were raised on the family farm by St. George. When the children were older, Judy worked various jobs including 14 years as a paraprofessional at Washington Elementary School. After retirement she volunteered in Same Day Surgery at New Ulm Medical Center. Over the years Judy served on various boards including being the first female trustee of St. George Church, held all four offices for the Council of Catholic Women, taught religion classes, was involved in 4-H, participated as a cast member of many St. George plays, and served on the board of Sunset Apartments. In her free time, she enjoyed following the grandchildren’s activities, playing cards, traveling, reading, Sudoku, cooking, talking on the phone, and sending cards, letters, and jokes to family and friends.

Judy was a very positive person. Every book she read, movie she saw, and person she met was “delightful.” She appreciated and saw the beauty in everyday things – sunsets, flowers, watching squirrels, birds and deer. She made a point to be kind to everyone and would strike up a conversation with anyone she came in contact with. A trip to the grocery store could take two hours. Even during her years of dealing with heart issues, she remained positive, was thankful for the life she had, and treasured all the good memories. To say she will be greatly missed is an understatement. Blessed be her memory.

Special thanks to her amazing health care providers at New Ulm Medical Center, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Allina Home Health Care, Hospice Team, and Southview Living Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Oak Hills Living Center or New Ulm Medical Center (emergency room, same day surgery, or volunteers).

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