Judy Citta, 73
Judy K. Citta, 73, of Garretson, passed away on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020 at Split Rock Lutheran Church in Brandon. Visitation, with family present, is from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, mask and social distancing are required.
Judith “Judy” K. Brotherton was born Aug. 20, 1947 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Hugh and Abbie Brotherton. She attended high school in Council Bluffs, Iowa. and graduated from Nebraska Methodist School of Nursing as an R.N. in 1969. She married Bernard “Bernie” Citta in August of 1968. After Judy’s college graduation, she worked at the Children’s Hospital in Omaha, Neb., as the Charge Nurse until she and Bernie had their daughter, Jennifer. She later began her career as a school nurse at the Millard Public School until her retirement after 25 years.
Following retirement, Judy went to the University of Nebraska and enrolled in their horticulture program as she loved gardening. She became a Master Gardner. She also volunteered at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Camp and loved working outdoors.
Judy and Bernie loved to travel the world. They visited many places across the globe together, and Judy planned and researched every vacation down to the minute. Together they visited Ireland, England, Wales, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii to only name a few. They took a bus trip to the Carolinas where she was asked by the tour guide to give a presentation on the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, N.C., as she had researched the Biltmore prior to her vacation.
Judy enjoyed genealogy and loved researching her and Bernie’s family history. She tracked her relatives back generations, and when they visited New York, she knew what ship their families came across the ocean on. Judy was always busy doing something to keep her going. She loved crafts like quilting, beading, spinning fibers, and embroidery work. She and Bernie even had a fabric shop in their home where she sold fabric, supplies, and various arts and crafts. Judy was known to be a fantastic decorator, but above all else she was known for her love of Jesus, family, and close friends. She was always looking out for people, giving advice, and helping people get through tough times. She kept her husband in line for over 52 years. Judy will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.
Grateful for sharing her life are her husband, Bernie Citta, Garretson; daughter, Jennifer Beckers of Lennox, S.D.; grandchildren, Andrew and Margaret Beckers, of Lennox; close friends, Debbie and Ron Wirtjes and Ivan and Vicki Sysa, all of Garretson; and other relatives and close friends.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Abbie Brotherton.
For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.
