Judy Sears, 80, of Grinnell, entered Heaven's gates on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, at her home in Grinnell and under the care of UnityPoint Grinnell Regional Hospice. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 18, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Interment will be at Chester Cemetery, north of Grinnell. A luncheon will be held in the Social Center at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.
Judy's family will receive friends at the visitation held from 4:30-8 p.m. on Thursday evening, Oct. 17, at Smith Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Gilman First Responders and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Judy Lenora Doud was born June 27, 1944, to Virgil and Doris Doud in Grinnell. She graduated from Grinnell High School in 1962. As a checker for United Grocery Store, she was known for her customer service, and that is how she came to know Clarence Sears. They began dating the week of graduation and continued from there. After graduation from high school, she attended Thompson's School of Cosmetology. Upon gaining her degree, she returned to Grinnell where she cut and styled hair for Terry Bowman. She was united in marriage to Clarence Sears on June 13, 1964. They were blessed with two children, Gary and Lisa. Judy worked in the shop from 1964-1967.
When Gary was born, she stayed home as a farmwife and kept busy there.
Judy really loved people, especially her family. She enjoyed serving with the Tama County Home Ec Committee, being part of the Good Neighbor Club, served as 4-H leader for five years, and was a member of Grinnell Christian Church. She was very clear that she would do anything she could to help her family. Her biggest goal this year has been to be able to attend and celebrate the union of Gary and Jana this June. She made that goal 19 days before she began her courageous battle with breast cancer.
Judy is survived by her children Gary (Jana) Sears of Gilman and Lisa Sears of Grinnell; sister-in-law Connie Doud of Des Moines; brother-in-law Paul Sears of Grinnell; and a nephew Nick Doud.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Clarence; stepfather Lyle Wiley; parents-in-law Del Sears and Ann Paul Sears Lang; stepfather-in-law Bob Lang; brother John Doud; niece Julie Doud; and sisters-in-law Jane Allnutt and Margie Sears.
Judy will be remembered for her warm, friendly smile and faith in God.
