Judy May Papich, 70 years old, was born on January 14, 1955, in Iowa City to Donald & Doris (Pierce) Romine in Iowa City, Iowa. She passed from this life on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Hallmark Care Center in Mt. Vernon. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Grace Community Church in North Liberty. The family will greet friends at the church from 10 AM until the service starts. In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting monetary donations in her honor

She spent most of her life in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area. She graduated from West High in 1974 in Iowa City. Judy loved sewing and two years later even made her own wedding dress.

During her later high school years, she became a CNA working with the elderly in many rural nursing homes but her favorite nursing job was working with handicapped children in Cedar Rapids. In 1981, due to a Rheumatic Fever episode, right after she had her second daughter, she became a “stay at home mom”. As her kids got a bit older, she worked some part-time cleaning jobs to help bring in more income.

Judy was a true prayer warrior and follower of Christ. She attended church regularly wherever she lived. Mom thoroughly enjoyed fellowship with others and always had a story to share. She never met a stranger no matter where her feet took her in life. Judy especially loved music and dancing and absolutely adored her king on this earth, Elvis. Her favorite pastime was watching movies and drinking a Pepsi.

She leaves on this earth her former husband, Michael Papich of Coralville, IA, four daughters: Heather & (David) Walles of Des Moines, Marsha Papich of Coralville, Augwenda & (Cody) Ruth of North Liberty and Stephanie Papich (significant other Travis Beach) of Bettendorf. She also had four grandchildren she adored: Noah, Grace, Owen & Maisie. She also had three favorite fur grandbabies: Sully, Homie & Walter.

Preceding Judy in death were her parents and an infant older brother.