Judy Scheffler, daughter of Bob and Gwen (Becker) Ellsworth, was born on August 3, 1945, in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. She attended and graduated from Armour, South Dakota. In 1966 Judy moved to Harlan, IA and attending nursing school.
On December 16, 1967, Judy was united in marriage to Henry Scheffler in Harlan, Iowa. Seven children were born to this union. Judy and Henry raised their children in the country surrounding Harlan. Together they grew everything the family needed in huge gardens, raised chickens, cows, and pigs to feed the family.
In 2003 Judy and Henry moved from the farm to Harlan where Judy had her own greenhouse in her backyard and supplied her family and friends with plants for their garden every year. She truly had a green thumb and revived many plants for her family. She was a fabulous cook and baker as well and took pride in teaching her grandchildren those skills. Judy loved garage sales and only bought if the price was right. Judy and her best friend Susan made frequent trips to thrift shops and secondhand stores to hunt for deals and met for coffee every day.
Judy dedicated her life to teaching children and those with disabilities through Head Start, West Central and Concerned Inc. Judy loved to volunteer and was proud of her contributions to Harlan’s Community Kitchen. Throughout the years Judy took in many kids who fell on tough times and needed a place to stay. She was a woman of deep faith and held God close to her and her family all the days of her life. When times were tough, she would whisper in her children’s ears, “The Good Lord will get us through.”
To all those who knew her Judy had an ornery side. She was witty with a splash of sarcasm. She continued to bring laughter to the nurses who cared for her so beautifully towards the end of her life and to her family during rough times. She was a light for all of us. She we will be dearly missed by all of us.
Judy passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2022. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Bob and Gwen Ellsworth, sister and brother-in-law Karen and Charlie Hazard, brother Ron Ellsworth. She is survived by her husband Henry of Harlan, and children Bill Scheffler of Harlan, Kale (Jacie) Scheffler of Harlan, Mike (Jenny) Scheffler of Harlan, Wendy (John) Mesenbrink of Ankeny, Jenny (Neil) Penn of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Joseph Scheffler of Harlan and Amy (Brian) Coenen of Harlan. 14 Grandchildren, 3 Great-Grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of Life will be Saturday, January 7th from 1PM to 4Pm at the C. G. Therkildsen Center in Harlan. The Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is in charge of arrangements.
