Judith Anne Klug (nee Loney) passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 at the age of 73 at the Emo Health Centre in Emo, Ont.
Judy will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 51 years, Fred Klug, and by their children, Elizabeth (Herb) Adam of Winnipeg, Man. and James (Carmela) Klug of Emo, Ont.
Judy’s loving heart will continue to bless her four deeply-cherished grandchildren, Timothy and Daniel Adam of Winnipeg, Man. and Katrina and Fletcher Klug of Emo, Ont.
Judy was predeceased by her parents, Grace Loney (1989) and Lawrence Loney (1991); and her brother, Larry Loney (2014).
Judy will be recalled fondly by her brothers, Dave (Janet) Loney and Bill (Julie) Loney; and her nieces and nephews, Mark, Dan, Joanna, and Shaun Loney (Dave’s children), David and Lisa Loney (Larry’s children), and Kathy, Paul, John, and Michael Loney (Bill’s children) and their families.
Judy was well-respected and will be missed by her husband’s family, Helmut and Inge Klug of Winnipeg Man. and Oliver and Inge Schminke of Iowa, as well as their children, Erick, Kyle, and Heidi Schminke and their families, all from Iowa.
Judith Anne Loney was born in Emo on Feb. 9, 1943 to Lawrence and Grace Loney. Judy quickly became the cherished little sister for her three older brothers: Dave, Larry, and Bill Loney.
The children grew up happily together in Emo while the family owned and operated Cloverleaf Grocery, located on Front Street at that time.
Judy attended Knox United Church in Emo throughout her lifetime. She faithfully and humbly served in many different roles over the years, including Sunday School teacher and superintendent, choir member, and instrumentalist on the piano, organ, and guitar.
Judy graduated from Fort Frances High School in 1960 and went on to follow in her mother’s footsteps to become a teacher. She attended two years of summer teachers’ training while teaching at a one-room school in Carpenter during the school year. At this point in time, Judy was not much older than some of her students.
After two years of teaching at Carpenter and attending teachers’ training during the summer, Judy went to Thunder Bay to attend teachers’ college.
After graduating with her teaching certificate, Judy taught in Atikokan, Ont. for two full school years between 1963 and 1965. After getting married in the summer of 1965, Judy began to teach closer to home, making appearances in Stratton and Devlin before settling into Donald Young School in Emo.
First as Miss Loney and then as Mrs. Klug, Judy’s wisdom and gentleness touched the lives of many young students throughout her teaching career.
On Aug. 6, 1965, Judy Loney married Fred Klug and they lived together in a small house beside their new car business, Emo Sales and Service, while Judy taught elementary school. After a few years of living in a very old house, the young couple bought the farm next to the farm Fred grew up on and built the home they raised their family in.
In December of 1971, Judy gave birth to Elizabeth Grace and began to devote most of her time and energy to being a mother, wife, and homemaker while still doing secretarial work at Emo Sales and some substitute teaching.
In July of 1976, Judy gave birth to James Frederick and found great joy in what she and Fred called their “perfect family.”
Judy continued to serve as a Sunday School superintendent throughout her years of raising her and Fred’s children. She also found herself involved in things she may have never thought of on her own–like a timber business and tending to a variety of farm animals.
Judy enjoyed gardening and interior decorating. She spent many hours refinishing old family furniture and lining the walls of their home with wood she finished herself.
She had a lot of patience for both people and projects. She quietly ministered to people in many different situations doing things which we just now are becoming aware of as people share their memories.
Judy was a very kind, gracious person, a living example of Philippians 4:5: “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” When you were near Judy, you were near the Lord as He lived in her heart in such a deep, unshakable way.
Children loved Judy and Judy loved children. She was so delighted to be able to become a grandmother to Timothy in 1996, Daniel in 2001, Katrina in 2002, and Fletcher in 2005.
Judy was saddened but not surprised to be diagnosed with dementia in her late 50s. She courageously entered into what she knew would be a very difficult journey with her characteristic faith, selflessness, and complete lack of self-pity.
She continued to show her love to her family and all those around her right to the end of her suffering. She never wavered from faith, hope, and love for the many years she walked through the valley of the shadow of death.
We rejoice that Judy is free from all sorrow and suffering. As we grieve the passing of this magnificent lady, we rest in the fact that we have not lost her. Her love will remain with us throughout our lives here and we will be together again in Heaven in perfect peace and eternal joy.
“Our earthly bodies which die and decay are different from the bodies we shall have when we come back to life again, for they will never die.” I Corinthians 15:44
Cremation has taken place. A private family interment will be held prior to the service.
The family invites the community to join them in honouring and celebrating Judy’s life at a service to be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Emo. Rev. Frances Flook will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, we request that in memoriam donations be made to the Emo Health Centre’s (Long-Term Care Improvement Program) c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” I Corinthians 15:55