Judith (Judie) Cottrell, 83, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 13, 2023,
surrounded by her loving family.  To honor Judie’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., on Monday, October 16, 2023, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Services will follow at 11:00 a.m., held by her son-in-law, Pastor Kevin Hahn.  Burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens.

Judie was born June 23, 1940, in Dubuque. She met her husband Jerry Cottrell when she was 14 at the Busy Bee Cafe. He walked her home that night and the rest is history. They married on February 13, 1960, made their home in Dubuque, and later welcomed four beloved children. They shared a lifetime of love together and recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Judie worked at Sears as a sales associate for nearly 30 years, where she was known to be a favorite among her coworkers and customers with her cheerful disposition and one-of-a-kind humor. Judie was fashionable, enjoyed bowling, dancing, and thrifting. Although she had many passions, Judie was most devoted to her family.

She loved people more than anything and never met a stranger. Judie was the life of the party and always had a good joke to share. Above all, she enjoyed spending time with others, often hosting family and friends in her home and making the holidays extra special. Judie was a devout Christian and a faithful member of the church throughout her life.

Survivors include her husband Jerry; children Kevin (Joli) Cottrell of Blaine, MN, Cheri (Kevin) Hahn of Pleasant Hill, IA, Ray (Nancy) Cottrell of Eden Prairie, MN, Jerry “JL” (Cheryl) Cottrell of Dubuque; grandchildren Crista, Korey, Kaylee, Jack, Ally, Casey, Jonathan, Katelyn, and Kirsten; great-grandchildren Amelia, Hannah, Jovie, Hudson, and Chloe; sisters Rita Cottrell and Ruth “Sis” Rote; brothers Tom Rath and Dennis Rath; and sister-in-law Kaytee Rath.

She was preceded in death by her parents Henry Rath, Ruth and Mel Hemenway; parents-in-law Ray and Mary Cottrell; brothers Armand, H.V., Cecil, and Richard Rath; and brothers-in-laws Roger and Robert “Bob” Cottrell.

Judie always signed every personal note with her favorite verse, “John 3:16.” Her family and friends find comfort knowing she’s now resting in the arms of her Lord and Savior.

We would like to thank the wonderful nursing staff at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital for their compassionate care of not only Judie but the entire family.

We also want to thank Judie’s granddaughter Crista for writing this beautiful tribute to Judie.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Judie’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Judie Cottrell Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com