Judy Jepsen

Judith Marie Jepsen, age 85, of Laramie WY passed away peacefully on Thursday October 9th 2025, after battling cancer at Hospice of Laramie. Judy was born to Lucile (Larson) and Charles Schmitz at Mounds Park Hospital, in St. Paul, MN on August 29, 1940.

Preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lucile, and daughters Angela Marie, Heather Lynn and, sister Kathy Lindahl.

Survived by daughter Lori (Keith) Kunkel; grandchildren Joe (Kaylie) Kunkel, Brittany (Mike) Segler; 7 great grandchildren Kyndra, Scott, Jason, Trinity, Jazmyn, Charlie, Joey JR; siblings Jackie Connolly, Nancy (Roger) Johnson, Butch (Jeep) Schmitz, Sally (Michael) Granlund and Suzie Schmitz and many nieces and nephews.

Judy’s early years were spent at the family home on Upper Afton Road; a seven-bedroom farmhouse built by her grandfather, and her grandparents' farms in Hastings and Pig’s Eye Island where her cousin Linda and her siblings had many adventures. Judy graduated from Harding High School in 1958.

Judy spent about 10 years in Prior Lake working at the City Hall. In 1981 when Lori graduated, she moved to Mason City IA for a few years. She moved back to St. Paul and started many of her payroll jobs.

In the early 80’s Judy started at Greenbrier Home: Judy worked in the office/bookkeeping – billing – payroll – benefits. Sister Susie, Bob and Claudia all worked there. It was an awesome place. Never a dull moment there – lots of action. She had an excellent memory and again especially with anything that was numbers related. She could remember dates, times, codes, receipts, etc.

Around 1988 Focus Homes was born. Judy transitioned from Greenbrier to Focus Homes in a Payroll/Billing Director role. Her bookkeeping and record keeping skills were highly valued in this transition as you can imagine the business structure changed immensely. Judy managed the payroll, billing and many other bookkeeping/record keeping responsibilities at Focus Homes.

Then!...REM acquired Focus Homes (approximately 1999?) Judy transitioned from Focus Homes to REM. Judy decided to retire from REM approximately 2002. She announced that she would be working for Creative Care Resources.

Creative Care Resources: 7/17/2002: She started with Creative Care Resources. Retired, changed to On Call status on 5/31/23. She was still employed On Call when she passed away on 10/9/25. She was employed with Creative Care Resources for 23 years!!! Payroll/Billing Director role.

Through all this she did taxes. She started at H&R block, then on her own. Judy did taxes all the way up to 2025. She loved her numbers.

Judy loved to travel. Every January there was a winter trek to her sister Kathy’s cabin in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Then there was the vacation every June and fall to Door County WI with sisters and family. They had been going for a long time. She had also gone on many cruises. Judy also traveled to many states to see relatives and had been to many National Parks.

A Celebration of Life will be held at noon with a Time of Gathering from 10:30 am - noon, on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake, MN.