Judi Palmer, 80, of Dubuque, died Monday, May 27, 2024, at the Luther Manor in Dubuque.

Visitation will be from 9:00 am until 10:45 am on Friday, May 31, 2024 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.

The Funeral Service for Judi will be at 11:00 am on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory.

Judi was born December 8, 1943, in Des Moines, the daughter of Sidney and Lois (Paulson) Palmer. In 1967, she married Gari McDermott, they later divorced.

Judi was a very artistic person, she played the drums, was a dance instructor, and enjoyed singing. She also enjoyed knitting and crafting. Judith also loved animals, especially seeing the penguins at the zoo.

Survivors include her five children, Beth McDermott of Chicago, IL; Jeff McDermott of Dubuque; Russ McDermott of Dickeyville; Shawn McDermott of Dubuque; and Daniel K. McDermott of St. Paul, MN; two grandchildren, Garrett R. McDermott and Calla Mae McDermott.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, Roland and Jon Palmer.

Now, let’s tell you a story about our Mom… You won’t believe it, I don’t even believe 1/2 of it and I’ve seen the pictures. Her early adult life sounds like something out of a Hollywood biopic: Judi was a beatnik playing jazz clubs in New York, then a showgirl performing in a chorus line (not the show, but what the show was about) alongside a young Barbara Streisand. At some point she was performing in Vegas, dating a notorious mobster, and regularly hanging out with Sammy Davis Jr, and Joey Bishop. She knew Ray Charles, Michael Landon, and yes, she shook Frank Sinatra’s hand. Then one night while rehearsing a big production number, tragedy struck when she fell off a ladder and broke her back. She spent 2 years in traction followed by many years of rehabilitation.

Along the way she met my Dad, got married, had 5 kids, and made a home in Alta, IA. Mom was a dedicated homemaker and a doting parent, but she had too much talent to hold inside! So first in the living room, then in a storage room behind the local salon, and ultimately in a place all her own, she owned and operated a premiere dance studio with a reputation for excellence and a host of students that stretched from the MN border to Sioux City, IA.

Sadly, Mom’s later life is filled with bad decisions and devastating consequences, and by age 70 she had developed serious respiratory issues and dementia. She could no longer provide for herself, so she lived the last several years comfortable and well cared for at Luther Manor in Dubuque.

She’s been many things to many people: dancer, musician, showgirl, teacher, entrepreneur, wife, mother, friend, confidante, lover, and always a fighter, but to me she was just “Mom”, and she was my hero… The last time I saw her, in a fleeting moment of lucidity, she suddenly recognized me, told me she loved me, and said she could feel her time was coming soon. I said I love her too, told her how proud I am of her for living life on her own terms, and let her know it’s ok to rest now.

She passed away peacefully at 2:19AM on May 27, 2024… Memorial Day, of course.

May the Lord bless her and keep her. May the Lord make their face shine upon her and be gracious to her. And may the Lord lift up Their countenance upon her and give her peace.

Goodnight Mom, flights of angels sing the to thy rest… We’ll see you on the other side ♥️