Judith Elaine Heuer was born July 11, 1941 in Clarinda, Iowa, the daughter of Edward A. Guthrie and Millicent Maxine (Cabbage) Guthrie. She grew up on the family farm in Tarkio Township with her three siblings. Judy was baptized and confirmed at the age of 12 at the Methodist Church, Norwich, Iowa. She graduated from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1959. Judy was united in marriage June 7, 1959, to her high school sweetheart, Clarion “Clay” Heuer at the Methodist Church in Norwich. They were blessed with three children, Lori, Russell and Scott.
Never one to sit idle, Judy used her skills as a secretary for many years in several places of employment including Citizen’s Bank (Bank Iowa), Clarinda Municipal Hospital, Page One Rural Water and the Page County Landfill. She had certification to do various jobs at the landfill and retired after ten years of employment.
Judy was a member of the Clarinda Methodist Church. She had a strong faith and loved sharing the joy of being a Christian. She joked that she was a “Heinz 57 Christian” because she had been a member of the Church of God, Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church and Methodist churches. Her belief was “I don’t care what denomination you are; we are all brothers and sisters in Christ!” Her motto was “Do all the good you can to all the people you can as long as you can”. She was very active in the Sew and Share program at the Methodist Church making cross body bags to send to Africa for the Blessman International ministry. Judy was a former member of the St. John Altar Guild.
Judy had a lot of activities and interests, through the years, she enjoyed camping with the family, fishing, gardening (she had a green thumb!), square dancing and of course quilting! She enjoyed her water exercise group at the Lied Center, was an active former member of the Scrap Happy Quilt Club, member of PEO. Her priority was always her family. After her diagnosis, she put special gifts together for all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Each gift had to mean something to each child! She cherished her individual time spent with each grand and great, they were a joy to her!
Preceding Judy in death were her parents, Ed and Millicent Guthrie; parents-in-law, Clinton and Bessie Heuer; husband, Clay Heuer (2017) and niece, Carroll Sandahl.
Left to cherish her memory are children, Lori (Jerry) Sleep of Bedford, Iowa, Russell Heuer of Arlington, Washington and Scott (Kristi) Heuer of Clarinda; twelve grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; siblings, Joyce (Loren) Tornholm of New Market; Larry (Linda) Guthrie of Oak Grove, Missouri and Jan (Lynn) Freye of Martel, Nebraska; nieces; nephews; other extended relatives and many friends.
A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 3, 2026 at Clarinda Methodist, Clarinda, Iowa with Pastor Andy Rubenking officiating. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2026 at the Clarinda Methodist Church prior to the service. Burial will be in the Clarinda Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Sew & Share Food Pantry or to the Methodist Women in Mission. Arrangements were entrusted to the Nodaway Valley Funeral Home of Clarinda.
