Judith Ellen (Stein) Andersen

SAGINAW, MI-Judith Ellen Andersen died on March 23, in South Bend IN, at the age of 86.Born on June 26, 1935, into an intellectual and creative family, Judy grew up in Dayton (1935-1941), and Canton, Ohio (1941-1950). The eldest of three, she developed her artistic talent in high school through the Famous Artists School correspondence course. The family moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 1950, and the next year she enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study interior design. She left school after two years to begin working as an interior designer at the Boston Store in Milwaukee. Judy met the love of her life, Nels Marlou Andersen, in Kenosha on visits to the family's church, where he was Director of Religious Education. They married in September of 1957. Their first daughter, Belinda, was born in 1958, and the family moved to New Jersey soon after so that Nels could complete his graduate studies in New York. In 1960, they moved to the shores of Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, Michigan, where Judy supported Nels in his work as Religious Education Director for the First Congregational Church. Over the next several years, they also co-directed religious summer camps at Camp Warren and Pilgrim Haven in Berrien County. Their youngest daughter, Nancy, was born in St. Joseph in December 1960. In 1963, the family moved to Saginaw, Michigan, where the couple would spend the next 60 years. A devoted wife and mother, Judy's life's work was her home and family. She provided numerous creative activities for her children and the neighborhood children and continued to work on her own artistic projects in stained glass, drawing and painting, puppetry, and silver & copper enamel jewelry. She sewed clothing for her kids and costumes for many plays at the First Congregational Church, where Nels worked. Judy taught art classes at the Saginaw Art Museum, sang in the church choir, and taught nursery school classes. She served on the board at the YWCA and as Interim Executive Director for a time. She worked at the Mole Hole in old town Saginaw, creating the kitchen shop and several years as a travel agent for Oppermann Travel. Judy and Nels were later active in the Northmoor Neighborhood Association and Habitat for Humanity; and after retirement, attended lapidary arts school in Georgia each year. Judy was a devoted Grandmother who relished her annual "summer camp" weeks with her grandchildren Nicholas and Katharine. She was an avid gardener who created a backyard oasis at the family home. Judy never lost her artist's eye.Judy is survived by her daughters, Belinda Andersen and Nancy (Peter) Owsianowski; grandchildren, Nicholas Andersen Owsianowski and Katharine Andersen Owsianowski; her sister, Stephanie Tolan; and sisters-in-law, Carole Stein and Mary Alice Wisniewski. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband, Nels Marlou Andersen; brother, Joseph Vernon Stein; and her parents, Joseph Edward Stein and Mary Schroy Stein.Private services will be held at a later date.Memorial donations may be made, in Judy's name, to the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or at foundationforhospice.org/donateTo send private condolences, please visit: http://www.mcgannhay.com/condolences.html