Obituary of Judith A. Herlein

Judith (Judy) Ann Herlein, 57, of Iowa City, IA, passed away peacefully on December 18th after a long valiant battle with breast and metastatic cancer. In her final days she was surrounded by loved ones. Funeral services will be held at 1pm Saturday, December 21, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City where there will be a time of visitation from 11am until services Saturday at the church. Private family graveside services will take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Memorial donations can be made in her memory for further research in finding a cure for breast cancer. For a complete obituary, to share a thought, memory or condolence with her family please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Judy’s family and her services. Judy was born on July 31st, 1962, in Davenport, IA, to parents Edward and Mellie Coursey Keiner. She attended Iowa State University and studied Microbiology due to her life-long love of animals. Judy worked for the VA Hospital Research Labs working on a cure for diabetes and Alzheimer’s. She worked for the VA hospital for 33 years before retiring. Judy attended Zion Lutheran Church, where she sung in the choir for 30+ years, attending up to even a month ago. She loved to spend time with friends and regularly attend social gatherings such as book club and “happy hour”, although she didn’t drink. A good day in her mind was relaxing at home with the cats smothering her in her recliner and taking a nap in the sun. She loved to watch Food Network day and night looking for the perfect recipe to try for the family. Judy also loved to spend time talking with her husband about how their day was and what they did on a daily basis. Judith was a very kind, caring and compassionate person. She spent a lot of free time crocheting blankets for family, friends, and anyone who needed one. She had a way of making friends with anyone she came into contact with, putting a smile on their face. She spent many years taking her children to sports practices and tournaments while managing soccer merchandise sales. Thanks to the passion passed from her mother, she took pride in having her children learn string instruments and taking them to orchestra lessons and attending their concerts. Judith was married to her loving husband, Leonard Herlein, for 29 years. She went on to raise 4 beautiful children: Ashley (36), Ethan (26), Amelia (23) and Nick (21). She was a grandmother of 4: Hailey (14), Cheyanne (13), Jaxon (7) and Lily (6). Loving sister in law to Roxanne Veigelt, Barbara Irwin, and Dale Ross. Judith will be deeply missed by many. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mellie Coursey Keiner, and brother Steve Keiner. She was loved by many and will continue to be loved forever.