Judy N. Hemp

Judy Nadine Anderson Hemp of Hastings, MN passed away peacefully on August 18, 2022 in St. Paul, Minnesota after a short illness. She was born on April 10, 1942 in Plum City, Wisconsin the daughter of Florence (Anderson) Anderson and Ardie Anderson. Judy met her husband Carl Hemp in St. Paul when they both worked for Sperry Univac. Their romance blossomed when Carl gave her rides to work. They were joined in marriage on May 25, 1963 at First Lutheran Church in Red Wing, MN. They had many happy years together before Carl passed away on June 21, 2005. Judy spent her early years in Maiden Rock, WI before the family moved to Red Wing. She graduated from Red Wing Senior High in 1960. She then moved to St. Paul where she started working and enjoying life in the big city. After her marriage, the family lived in Cottage Grove, MN before moving to Hastings, MN 45 years ago. Her life was primarily devoted to raising her children. But she also had careers in media and publicity. She worked for the then Chimera Theater in St. Paul and also for KDWA radio and the then Hastings Star Gazette in Hastings. One of her great loves and talents was writing. She received a journalistic award from the Minnesota Press Women and enjoyed reporting both local government and human- interest stories. She was published in Mpls/St. Paul, Guideposts Magazine, Lutheran Woman Today, The Lutheran Standard, Woman’s Day, and Woman’s World. More recent examples of her writing prowess can be found in her prolific Facebook postings. Her sense of humor, interest in people and the world can be found in these commentaries. People genuinely appreciated her writings. After Judy and Carl retired, they both found a second calling in driving school bus for area school children. Judy’s routes often included special needs kids, a job that she always cherished. Volunteerism for Judy was a core value. From her time as the Minnesota State Secretary for the Mrs. Jaycees to being named as Volunteer of the Year for Regina Medical Center Auxiliary, service underscored her life. She also served on the Regina Foundation Board as liaison for the Regina Auxiliary Board. Judy loved reading, traveling, music, local theater and all forms of modern technology. She enjoyed learning about and using her cell phone, computer and tablet. She especially loved talking to people, gathering with friends and family and making new connections. If you met Judy, you instantly felt her warmth and interest in you. Visiting her grandchildren and participating in their activities was a number one priority. A long-time member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Hastings, MN, Judy’s faith was central. She participated in worship and various church activities and groups over the years including working with shut-ins. When the world became virtual recently, she became a regular viewer of not only the streaming versions of her own home church services but also the churches of her children and other family members. Judy will be missed most of all by the family that she loved dearly. She is survived by her daughter Sheryl Hemp, Wausau, WI; son Jon Hemp, Minneapolis, MN and daughter Heide (David) Beierle of Valley City, ND and her grandchildren Samuel, Rachel and Sara Beierle. She is also survived by her brothers Craig (Marlene) Anderson, Red Wing, MN, and Clair (Betty) Anderson, Red Wing, MN and precious nieces and nephews. In addition, she also leaves behind extended family and friends who fully enriched her life. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, husband Carl, son Stephen, brother Curtis, infant brother Charles, father – and mother -in-law, Paul and Helen Hemp, brother- and-sister -in-law Dr. Richard and Ann Olafson and her niece Kathryn Olafson. A funeral service will be held Friday, August 26 at 11:00 AM at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 400 W. 9th St., Hastings, MN, with a visitation one hour prior. The Rev. Joel Rova-Hegener will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hastings Family Service or Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.