Obituary for Judy Gross

Judy Gross

Age 80 of Champlin, MN, passed away peacefully on August 14th, 2024. Judy was raised in Sheldon, IA by Donald and Virginia Hemerson.

Judy met the love of her life, Brad, when they were in Junior High and were together until Brad’s passing last year. Growing up Judy was a wonderful big sister to her siblings and loved to spoil them. She had a love for school and pep band and was proud of being selected 1st chair status for all four high school years. She served as the Worthy Advisor, the highest office, in Rainbow Girls in her school years. She was active in drama, was crowned Snow Queen at her High School winter formal and enjoyed working at the local dress shop. Judy attended Iowa State University where she studied Fashion Merchandising and pledged the Kappa Delta Sorority.

Judy will be remembered for her outgoing personality and always being a people person. She always was up for a good time.

Brad and Judy married on April 25th, 1964 and started their family in December of 1965 with the birth of Michelle and 15 months later, they welcomed Patti. The family moved to Champlin, where they resided for nearly 50 years.

Judys love for kids led her to a lifelong career of Daycare Provider for over 40 years. She excelled at this and was named Minnesota Provider of the year in 1997 which she was very proud of. She loved every one of her daycare families like her own. Even after they left her care she made it a priority to check in on them. She truly loved getting to care for each and every family that walked through her door!

Card games were one of her favorites and she enjoyed being in a bridge club for 20+ years. Judy’s love for books was something special she shared with one of her best friends. They would meet for breakfast every Saturday morning and exchange new books. She loved attending all of her kids activities and was known to often show up with 8+ kids in tow! She never missed any games or event of her kids and she was the number one score keeper of every softball game that Brad coached . Judy was very involved member of Champlin DFL club and was proud to have played bocce ball against Rudy Perpich while he was Minnesota’s Governor.

Everyone knew Judy’s favorite possession was her family, and all would agree that they always came first. When talking to people she couldn’t help but bring up what was new in her family. The annual pumpkin carving contest was always a family favorite. They enjoyed family vacations over the summer at a family cottage on Lake Gladstone. Judy also loved to throw pool parties in their backyard!

Judy had very special relationships with all of her grandkids and cherished every moment with them. She made an intentional effort to make sure they knew how loved they were by her. Her beautiful great grandkids were just the cherry on top.

Judy was preceded in death by her loving husband Brad, and grandson Basil Freeman.

She is survived by her children Michelle (John) Behm, Patti (Ed) Freeman, grandchildren Amanda (Brandon)Marquardt, Jack (Ciara) Behm, Chloe (Peter) Gamboa, Brooke and Jacqueline Freeman. Great grandchildren Emersyn, Paityn and Bennett Marquardt. Siblings, Barbara (Wayne)Snyder, Don (Lorna) Hemerson and Cartha (Gary) Smit, as well as many other close family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, August 22nd at 6PM at the Evans-Nordby Funeral Home, 34 2nd Street NE, Osseo MN. Visitation time will be held from 4-6PM

A special thank you to Family Tree Homes, and the entire staff for the exceptional care that they gave our parents until the very end.

Brad and Jude together forever, Soulmates once again.