Judith Kaye Raatz

Funeral services for Judith K. Raatz, age 72, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home.  Pastor Kaleb Hurley will officiate. Interment will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, May 3 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

The Lord took Judy home on Monday, April 29, 2019.

Judith Kaye Raatz was born April 26, 1947 in Albert Lea, the daughter of Robert “Bud” and Hazel (Bush) Nelsen. She grew up in the Myrtle-Albert Lea area, graduating from Albert Lea High School.  She went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in social work from Mankato State University. On July 1, 1972, Judy was united in marriage to William Allen Raatz at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle. Judy worked as a stylist at JCPenny’s Salon and later as a social worker for Elm Homes. She enjoyed scrapbooking, traveling, camping, cooking, and baking.  Judy loved spending time with family, especially camping trips with her kids and grandkids.

Judy was a strong Christian who loved the Lord and that love permeated everything she did. She was involved in children’s ministry and SPIRE ministry for the mentally handicapped.  Judy has left a legacy of love for the Lord that lives on in her sons and daughters-in-law and their children, many of whom actively serve in the local church and overseas missions.  Judy will be sorely missed by all who knew her, but we have a hope that all those who know Jesus Christ as Lord share and that is we will see her again in Heaven.  It is not goodbye but see you later.

Judy is survived by her husband, William; son, Nathan (Juana) Raatz and their children, Dominick, Delaney, Natania, Natalie, Noah, Nehemiah, and Natessa; son, Timothy (Holly) Raatz and their children, Colleen (Rickon), Gabrielle, Lana, Eli, Michael, Jordan, and Hannah; son, Paul (April) Raatz and their children, Avery and Lillian; son, Aaron (Jessica) Raatz; siblings, Gene (Linda) Nelsen, Mary Anne (Karl) Rollar, and Scott Nelsen; brothers and sisters-in-law, Barry Raatz, Suzanne (Bruce) Mckee, Penny Joecks, Denise Nelsen; nieces and nephews and many others who loved her very much.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Hazel; brother, Brian Nelsen; mother and father-in-law, Lucille and Carl Raatz.