Nov. 1, 1946 - Oct. 12, 2024
Date of Service: Oct. 19, 2024
Service Program
BURLEY – Judith Karen Ellis slipped into the arms of our Heavenly Father on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at home with her husband of 52 years, Michael Ellis, by her side and her faithful furry companion, Lexi, on her lap.
Judy was born November 1, 1946, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to proud parents, Roger Vincent and Susan (Kitz) Draxten. She grew up with her younger sister, Kathleen Bohmeyer. God blessed her with compassion and a desire to help others.
After graduating from high school, she attended Gustavus Adolphus College, a private, Lutheran- based college in St. Peter, Minnesota, where she studied nursing. She graduated and became a registered nurse. Judy joined the United States Air Force to further serve others and our country and was stationed in Mountain Home, Idaho. Never having ventured further than 100 miles from her hometown, she had to look at a map of the United States to locate Idaho. It was there she met her future husband when airman Michael Ellis successfully woo’d Officer Judith Draxten. They were engaged to be married, only to see their plans delayed when Judy was in a major car accident in December 1970. Her small Volkswagen bug was no match for a snowstorm, slippery roads and a large pickup truck. Suffering a traumatic brain injury and paralysis, the Air Force life-flighted her to Texas where she received lifesaving care surrounded by family and a fiancé that loved her.
God had bigger plans for Judy and her work was not done. After being in a coma for several months, she woke to find her life completely changed. The doctors told her she would never walk again nor likely have children. Fortunately, Judy was not one to back down from a challenge and she began the long process of recovery and proving those doctors wrong. After learning to eat, speak, write, and walk with the assistance of a walker or cane, she walked down the aisle to marry her Air Force sweetheart on July 22, 1972.
Mike and Judy moved to Burley, Idaho, where they set down roots and started their family. In April 1973, their first child was born – son, Kevin Ellis, followed by a daughter, Michelle Ellis (Decker), 18 months later. Judy was an amazing mom – patient, kind, loving, dedicated, and tireless. As they grew, she rode her three-wheeled bike with the kids all over town to their soccer and baseball games, cheer and dance, to Dairy Queen for ice cream, and anywhere they needed to go. She always had lunch prepared, after-school snacks waiting, and dinner for her family every night.
She raised her children in faith, next door to Zion Lutheran Church where she was a dedicated member for more than 52 years. Judy loved her friends, and she took every opportunity to help those in need. She would send cards to the congregation members as special occasions, illnesses, injury, or tragedies unfolded. She visited the infirmed to help lift their spirits and let them know they weren’t alone. She was involved for over 25 years in her local sorority making more life-long friends.
Mike and Judy shared a love for fishing. Over the years, they avidly fished at Magic Reservoir, American Falls Reservoir, Island Park, Henry’s Lake, and Lake Walcott. Every summer brought new pictures of her holding a newly caught 4 - 5 ½ pound rainbow trout with a big smile on her face. Phone calls and text messages would relay how she again caught the first fish of the day, the most fish, and the biggest fish. She was downright competitive with anyone lucky enough to fish with her. Judy was an eternal optimist and those that knew her never saw her without a smile on her face, despite the physical pain and challenges she faced throughout her adult life.
She was blessed to see her children graduate college, get married, to know her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were a constant delight in her life! Mike and Judy made countless trips to McCall, Idaho, and Mesa, Arizona, to visit and enjoy time with their growing family.
She is survived by her husband, Mike Ellis; her son, Kevin Ellis (daughter-in-law, Mary Ellis, and their two children, Hannah Ellis and Adam Ellis); her daughter, Michelle Decker (son-in-law, Scott Decker, their two children, Jordan Decker and Samuel Decker); four great-grandchildren, Sadie Decker, Ainsley Decker, Dexter Decker, and Killian Decker; and
her younger sister, Kathy Bohmeyer.
Judy’s family and friends will miss her cards with hand-typed personal notes, her joy, her encouragement, her friendship, her unwavering faith, and her unconditional love.
A niche-side service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 19, at Pleasant View Cemetery, 1645 E. 16th Street, in Burley, where military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Group. We will celebrate her life at a memorial service immediately following at 12 noon at Zion Lutheran Church, located at 2410 Miller Avenue, in Burley, with the Reverend Alexander G. Lissow officiating. A light luncheon will be provided by the church members following the service.
The family respectfully requests that, in lieu of flowers, a tax-deductible tribute donation be made in Judy’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.
