Judith Ellen Brede, 79, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, at Madonna Towers Nursing Home.

Judy was born on Saturday, Jan. 14, 1939, in Springfield, Minnesota, to Herman and Vivian Nelson. She grew up on a farm north of Revere, Minnesota, and graduated with honors from Walnut Grove High School in 1956. She moved to Rochester to attend Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing, where she met and fell in love with Ardell. They were married on March 24, 1961, at Bethel Lutheran Church. She graduated with an RN degree from Rochester State Junior College in June 1971. Judy began her nursing career at Methodist Hospital in 1971 as a floor nurse and moved to the operating room, where she worked until her retirement in 1994.

She enjoyed reading, singing, crocheting and traveling. Her travels have included trips to Germany, China, Saudi Arabia, Italy, the Scandinavian countries of Norway and Denmark, and the Netherlands, with her favorite place being Paris. When asked if she wanted to take a trip, her response was, “Sure, where are we going?” She was a member of the Red Hat Society and was an avid Gopher fan, holding season tickets for the Women’s hockey and basketball teams. She enjoyed being First Lady of Rochester and, of course, traveling with her husband on many of his mayoral trips.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Vivian Nelson; brother, Bob; and granddogs, Sox and Riley.

She is survived by her husband, Ardell; two daughters, Leslie (Tim) Kennedy and Jennifer Brede; son, Scott Brede; six grandchildren, Catie, Caroline, Vinny, Madison, Jordyn and Lauren; and brother, Norris (Sharon) Nelson of Apple Valley, California.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, at Bethel Lutheran Church with the Rev. Norman Wahl officiating. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Ardell and Judy Brede University of Minnesota Marching Band Scholarship or to the National Kidney Foundation. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.