Judith Ann Brees

Judith "Judi" Ann Brees, age 76 of Sergeant Bluff, formerly of Centerville, passed away Friday, July 18, 2014 at St. Luke's Hospital in Sioux City. Judi was born October 11, 1937 to Charles and Ada (Smith) Johnston in Centerville, IA. She married Donald Eugene Brees on March 31, 1956 in Unionville, MO. They shared 56 years of marriage prior to his passing on May 16, 2012. Judi grew up and graduated from the Centerville High School, Class of 1955. Judi attended 2 years of college at the American Institute of Business in Des Moines. She worked as a secretary and later doing abstract work for her father when he was the county attorney in Appanoose County. She and her husband later owned and operated Goode Elevators in Centerville where she was the bookkeeper/office manager. Judi and Don later moved to Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, where she worked in sales at MCI for over 15 years prior to retiring. Judi was a member of the Eastern Star. She was a very accomplished singer. She sang in the Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church choir and sang for many funerals and weddings. One of her greatest singing accomplishments was singing with Simon Estes. After living in Sioux City, Judi and Don sold their home and traveled in their motor home for 12 years. Their favorite thing to do while traveling was stopping at antique shows throughout the South. She enjoyed collecting antiques and loved jewelry. She enjoyed riding horses and loved her dog, Snuggles. Judi enjoyed spending time with her family, and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and her great-grandson, Christopher. A true blessing in her life was her dear friend, Linda McMahan and her family and her friend Tess. Judi is survived by her children, Kelley Brees and his fiancée, Stefanie Wood of Wapello and Jenna (Jamie) Stoltze of Sergeant Bluff, IA; four grandchildren, Holly (Cory) Corcoran, Haley Brees, Tyler Stoltze, and Trevor Stoltze; and a great-grandson, Christopher. Judi is also survived by 2 sister-in laws, Bev Summers and Kaye Betz and 2 brother-in-laws, Gerald (Kay) and David (Judy) Brees. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents; a son, Michael Brees; a daughter-in-law, Suzy Brees; a sister-in-law, Judy Crouse; a brother-in-law, Hank Betz; a niece, Sherry Henderson; and a nephew, James Crouse. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 21, 2014 at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Brad Gray officiating. Burial will be in Oak View Cemetery in Albia. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with the family present from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. An open memorial has been established in Judi's name.

Judith Ann Brees

October 11, 1937 - July 18, 2014