Judy Kaye Engelbrecht, 67, of Clifton, went home to be with Jesus on Friday, October 11, 2024 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

 

Judy was born on March 2, 1957 in Kankakee, the daughter of Wallace and Marjorie (Rusk) Engelbrecht, who preceded her in death.

 

She is survived by one brother, Dean (Delphine) Engelbrecht of Bloomington; one sister, Peggy Lambert of TX; five nieces and nephews, Bryan (Mary) Engelbrecht of Downs, Michael (Laura) Engelbrecht of Wilton, NY, John (Laura) Engelbrecht of Decatur, Melody (Eric) Bauman of Normal, and Sean Lambert of TX; and four great nieces and nephews.

 

Judy was a longtime educator and administrator throughout her community. One of her greatest accomplishments came in 2001, when she became owner and director of Faithful Friends Christian Preschool & Daycare in Fairbury. We are deeply proud of her many years of service and devotion to children. In recent years she loved living on the farm where she grew up. Most importantly she loved Jesus as her Savior and wanted everyone to have salvation in Christ. She was a faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gilman and enjoyed teaching and attending Sunday School classes.

 

Judy enjoyed close friendships with her coworkers and families at Faithful Friends, her dear friends Rita Fitzpatrick, Bernie Hinrich, the Kol and Ron Siebring families and so many more. We give a special thanks to Rita and Bernie, especially as they helped her so much getting to appointments, caring for her and loving her extra in the last weeks of her life.

 

Visitation will be from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman on Sunday, October 20th. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on October 21st at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gilman with Rev. Dr. Pete Hinrich officiating. Burial will follow at Danforth Cemetery.

 

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Gilman.

 

Arrangements by Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.

 

Please share a memory of Judy at www. knappfuneralhomes.com.