Pastor Judy Ann Evelyn Gifford, 71, of Paxton, NE passed away Monday, February 18, 2013, at her home in Paxton surrounded by her family.
Judy was born April 21, 1941, at North Platte, NE to Frederick Arthur and Gladys Evelyn Horn Nelson. She attended school in Kearney, NE before her family moved to Oregon and then to Red Bluff, CA where she graduated in 1959. Judy later moved to Sutherland, NE and worked for TRW in Ogallala, NE.
On September 23, 1961, Judy married Joseph ‘Joe’ Edward Gifford at Julesburg, CO and they made their home in Paxton. In 1962 they moved seven miles south of Paxton to the farm where they raised their family. In 1996 they moved back into town where they have lived since.
In 1994 Judy’s first assignment was as Parish Ministry Associate (PMA) for Lodgepole and Chappell, NE. On October 8, 1999, Judy began pastoring Grace Lutheran Church in Sutherland and Maria Lutheran Church in Hershey where she started the T.E.E.M. (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) Program. Judy was ordained at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte on February 23, 2002. Pastor Judy also served as an assistant to the Bishop with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America from 1999 to 2013.
Pastor Judy was a member of the Maria Lutheran Church and an associate member of Grace Lutheran Church. She was a life member of the Paxton American Legion #303 Auxiliary and the D.A.V. Auxiliary. Judy was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who had deep faith in God and loved to minister to others.
Survivors include her husband, Joe Gifford, of Paxton; her son, Mark (Teresa) Gifford, of Lincoln, NE; four daughters, Jerri (Jim) Morris, of Gower, MO, Kathy (Brian) Scusa, of Paxton, Cynthi (Randy) Hartsuiker, of Big Springs, NE and Teresa (Mike) Morland, of Paxton; her mother, Gladys Nelson, of North Platte, NE; two brothers, Ron (Cathy) Nelson, of Red Bluff, CA and Stan (Roseann) Nelson, of Longwood, FL; a sister, Betty “B.J.” Aldrich, of Chadron, NE; sisters-in-law, Mary Nelson, of Red Bluff, CA, Lila Lewis, of Columbus, NE, Margaret Gifford, of Paxton, Hazel Gifford, of North Platte, NE, June Gifford, of Grand Junction, CO and Peggy Gifford, of Boise, ID.
She is also survived by her 18 grandchildren, Jennifer Bufkin, Jacob Vernetti, Anelisa (Chris) Goodwin, Cheyenne Morris, JuliAnna Scusa, Rissa Patterson, Kerstyn Scusa, Alex (Shay) Hecht, Justin (Brittany) Hecht, Cameron Hecht, Evangela (Mike) George, D.J. Thorpe, Chris Hartsuiker, Zachary Morland, Chance Morland, Kylan Lanowski, Ashley Gifford and Michael Ryan; 11 great-grandchildren; her faithful companion, Heidi; numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends including Carla Carroll, of Kingman, AZ.
She was preceded in death by her father, Fred Nelson, and brother, Larry Nelson.
Cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. (CT) Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Platte with Bishop Brian Maas and Pastor David deFreese officiating. The memorial book may be signed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore or online at odeanchapel.com. Family will greet friends Friday evening from 6 to 8 (CT) at First Evangelical Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries or the Callahan Cancer Center. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.