Judith "Judy" Jean Malmberg

Judith “Judy” Jean Malmberg, the daughter of Ralph and Betty (Reininger) Lund, was born August 23, 1944, in Shenandoah, Iowa, and died September 5, 2020, surrounded by her family and with her beloved cat Petey on her lap, at her home in Audubon, Iowa, at the age of 76 years and 13 days.

Judy was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shenandoah. She attended school in Shenandoah and graduated from Shenandoah High School. Immediately following graduation, Judy enrolled in the Mercy School of Nursing in Council Bluffs, earning her degree as a registered nurse.

Shortly after graduation, she was united in marriage to Roger Malmberg on May 29, 1965, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shenandoah, and to this union, four daughters were born: Kimberly, Jody, Jenny, and Missy. The family made their home in Audubon, Iowa, and Judy was employed at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital for a short time before joining the Friendship Home in Audubon as a nurse, eventually becoming Director of Nurses at the Home.

Judy spent her life working in various capacities of nursing care, focusing on long-term and home health care, eventually earning the position of Vice President of Universal Pediatrics/Ultimate Nursing Services. She retired in 2006 to spend more time with Roger, who had recently retired from teaching.

Judy was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon. She and Roger were very active throughout the years with the other teachers in the area, participating in progressive dinners and card club. Roger died December 10, 2019.

A few of her favorite hobbies were antiquing, shopping, and caring for her home. She loved decorating for the holidays, and there wasn’t a holiday that passed that didn’t have a full set of décor for the house, including 14 Christmas trees. Residents of Audubon looked forward to Judy’s picture window decorations that changed with every holiday and season. She loved tending her rose garden and always had a special place in her heart for animals.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Malmberg; her parents; her brother, David Lund, and her sister, Ann McDonald.

Survivors include her daughters: Kimberly and husband Alan Vonnahme of Villisca, Iowa; Jody and husband Lonn Kiehne of Urbandale, Iowa; Jen and husband T.J. Paustian of Grimes, Iowa; and Missy and husband Adam Welch of Waukee, Iowa; her grandchildren: Adam Fangman of Merriam, Kansas; Cara and wife Elaine Fangman of Merriam, Kansas; Ethan Kiehne of Ames, Iowa; Jake Paustian of Grimes; Hannah Paustian of Grimes; and Ryker Welch of Waukee; her beloved cat, Petey; as well as nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

A Private Family Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa with Father David Nkrumah officiating. There will be no viewing or visitation held at the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Audubon. Casket bearers will be T.J. Paustian, Jake Paustian, Adam Welch, Lonn Kiehne, Ethan Kiehne, Adam Fangman, and Ryker Welch. Memorials may be mailed to Kessler Funeral Home, Inc., 515 S. Division Street, Audubon, Iowa 50025. The Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon is in charge of her arrangements.