Judith Spitzer

Minot

Judith Adele (Allen) Spitzer, 81, passed away peacefully with her husband by her side on Monday, August 14, 2023 at Minot Health and Rehab.

Judy was born on October 8, 1941 to Wiliam “Doc” Allen and Eulalie (Huckle) Allen in Minot, North Dakota. Judy was a 1959 graduate of Minot Model High School and went on to attend Minot State University where she received a Bachelor of Music Education in 1962. She taught in Egeland and Parshall, North Dakota for several years before accepting a position with Minot Public Schools where she spent the remainder of her teaching career. In addition to being a music educator in the school system, Judy played clarinet in the Minot City Band for 45 years and the Minot Symphony Orchestra for 50 years. An avid philanthropist, Judy was an active member of the AG chapter of P.E.O. for over 60 years. Judy married her loving husband, Jerry Spitzer, on November 25, 1964, in Minot, North Dakota where they raised their family.

To know Judy was to know faith, leadership, laughter, courage, and honesty. In times of sadness or of joy, Judy relied on her love of The Lord and shared His word openly and often. Judy’s charisma and fortitude instilled a sense of trust in those with whom she interacted. She was never one to shy away from telling a joke or funny story, and she inspired laughter in all who were in her presence, a trait her family, friends, and students adored. Judy faced life with tenacity and grit, always ready for whatever was thrown her way. She is a survivor of breast cancer and faced several other health problems throughout the duration of her life, and she continued on with an attitude of optimism and hope that was inspiring. Though she was known for her gregarious nature and kind heart, she was always a woman who told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Her tact and grace made her a cherished confidante and comrade to all that had the honor to know her.

Judy loved the simple things in life, like a bag of grapes that “taste like candy” or a good, hot coffee. Next time you visit Broadway Bean and Bagel, ask for the Judy Latte–don’t worry, they’ll know. More than the simple things, Judy loved her family. She is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, Jerry Spitzer; children John (Missi) Spitzer of Minot, North Dakota and James (Carla) Spitzer of Stillwater, Minnesota; granddaughters Jasmine, Jewel (Tristan Thompson), Livia, and Ella Spitzer; sister-in-law Lorelai Allen of Rochester, Minnesota; sister-in-law Joan (Kenneth) Littlefield of New Town, North Dakota; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and other loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Eulalie Allen; brother James Allen; half-siblings Mary Scammon, Jay Allen, and Howard Allen; mother-in-law Berdie Spitzer; and father-in-law Jake Spitzer.

A funeral to celebrate Judy’s life will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Minot First Baptist Church, 200 3rd St SW, Minot, ND 58701. To view a livestream of the service or share memories and condolences access her obituary page at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Visitation: Thursday, August 17th from 4-6p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

In lieu of flowers, please send a cash or check donation to the Judy Spitzer Memorial Scholarship fund. This fund will help support clarinet players attending Minot State University for years to come.

Donations can be sent to:

The Development Foundation

Minot State University

500 University Ave West

Minot, ND 58707

Published by The Minot Daily News, Aug. 16, 2023.