Judy Weber

Judy Ann (Olson, Lay) Weber, 74, of Stevensville, Montana passed away on January 20, 2023.
Judy was born on December 4, 1948 in St. Louis, Missouri to Ruth and Vern Olson. Judy grew up
in Brentwood, MO and attended Brentwood High School where she was involved in National
Honors Society, Girls Athletic Association for 4 years, PEP Club for 4 years, GAA class rep and
attended a UN trip her Junior year. Judy was very active in Student council all 4 years
becoming President during her senior year in 1966, with the slogan “Don’t be a Cootie, Vote for
Judy!” Not surprisingly this also got her voted most likely to succeed.

After Graduation Judy moved to what would become her home, Springfield Missouri, where she
attended and graduated from Southwest Missouri State with a degree in Education in 1970.
That was a busy year since she also met and married the love of her life Jerry James Lay and
later had a daughter, Karin Christine. Judy taught at several places in Springfield over the next
several years while riding Karin around town on a Schwin bike that is still in her garage to this
day!

In 1975, Judy, Jerry, and Karin moved to West Plains, Missouri, where Judy taught special
Education for 5 years for the Zizzers. During this time she made many friends, cultivated a
garden, visited with friends and family all while floating the river every chance she got.
Unfortunately her life changed when in 1980 a terrible motor vehicle accident ended Jerry's
life and left Judy and Karin in the hospital for some time.

In 1982, Judy moved back to Springfield, Missouri, where she completed a Master’s Degree in
Special Education. Over the years she would teach special education at Roberson Elementary,
Glendale High School, Jarrett Middle School and Parkview High School ( just to name a few)
while also running and/or assisting that schools’ Special Olympics program. She also started a
recycling program at Glendale High School that allowed her team to buy new uniforms for many
years. Judy was very involved in Special Education in Springfield, serving for years on the
Missouri state board for Special Olympics and even recruited her daughter into becoming a
coach if she needed one.

Judy married Don Weber, a Professor at Drury College in 1985. They loved to travel and
especially enjoyed their European vacations, particularly Germany. They attended as many
Drury events as they could, particularly Drury Basketball. A highlight of their lives together was
a year in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom from 1993-94 where they served as exchange
teachers. Judy and Don were known to collect a few things, but their wooden spoon collection
was legendary! Don preceded Judy in death in 2017.

Her daughter, Karin, married David Chimo in 1998 and they had 3 children – Jade, Sage and
Fenn who were the joy of Judy’s life. After the wedding Karin and her family moved to
Missoula, Montana and eventually landed in Stevensville in 2005. After Don’s death in 2017,
Judy was uprooted from Springfield and so moved to Stevensville to be close to her daughter,
son-in-law, and 3 grandchildren. As Judy did best she quickly got involved in Stevensville, and
eventually served as President of the Stevensville Senior center & helped raise money to build
the Lone Rock Community center. She also loved Going to the Stevensville Playhouse, exercise
group, cards at the senior center, bingo at the community center, the German bakery and
always cribbage with the grandkids.

Judy was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, great aunt, sister, and friend who took time to
send notes of love, rainbows, and encouragement widely. She enjoyed spending time with
family & friends, going to all the sporting events and was known as “Grandma Judy” to her
grandchildren’s friends.

Survivors include Daughter Karin Chimo (David) and Grandchildren Jade, Sage, and Fenn; Sisters
Nancy Hacker(Bruce) (The Villages, Florida), Susan Lopez (Wes) (St. Louis, MO) Brother Steven
Olson (Diane) (Durham, NC), and Brother-in-law Terry Lay (St. Louis, MO).
She will be greatly missed.

Memorials are suggesed in lieu of flowers to:

The Stevensville Senior Center at 100 Mission St, Stevensville, MT 59870,

The Lone Rock Community Center, https://3milecc.org/

Missouri Special Olympics Organization, https://somo.org/.