Judie Spanenberg

Judie was preceded in death by her husband Richard, daughter Rebecca Spanenberg-Flores (Geno), and great-granddaughter Athena Spanenberg. Her survivors include her brother, James L. (Jane) Jenkins, and her children: Gwendolyn (John) Christianson, William (Layla) Spanenberg, and James Spanenberg.

Judie was a devoted wife and mother. Her love for her family knew no bounds and she was a pillar of support, offering unwavering love, guidance and wisdom. She was a cherished grandmother to Nicholas (Ashley) Spanenberg, Andrew (Katy) Christianson, Joseph (Jessica) Christianson, Emily Malone, Hannah (Daniel) Coogan, Gabriel Flores, Anna (Joshua) Aadson, Abigail (Aidan) Wilkinson, Alexander Spanenberg, Benjamin Spanenberg, and William Spanenberg. She was proud to have 13 great-grandchildren: Roan Christianson; Faith, Meadow, Lola and Toula Spanenberg; Hezekiah, Anaiah, Chavalah, Eralyn and Zemirah Aadson; Theo and Isaiah Christianson; and Eleanor Wilkinson.

Judie was born on April 2, 1934 to Goldie (Altherr) and Spurgeon (S.L) Jenkins, in Jackson, Ohio. Both of her parents were school-teachers and the family moved frequently around Ohio and Indiana for teaching positions, but Jackson was always their home base.

As a young girl Judie showed an aptitude for playing the piano and singing, performing with her brother at eisteddfod (Welsh singing and music competitions) in the area, as well as playing the piano for the Sunday School. She also learned to sew and spent many happy hours working on clothing and other sewing projects.

In 1952 Judie graduated from Cleveland Heights High School. She attended Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, where she met her future husband, Richard. She then entered the St. Luke’s School of Nursing, where she graduated with a Diploma in Nursing in 1956.

Judie and Richard Spanenberg were married on August 24, 1957. Immediately after their wedding Richard started college at Ohio State University, studying to obtain his degree in Mechanical Engineering. Judie worked at University Hospital, primarily managing the unit where critically ill patients with polio were being cared for in iron lungs (an early type of respirator), while he was in school.

After he graduated, they moved to Louisville, KY, where Richard took a job with GE and Judie became a homemaker and mother. For the next twelve years Judie was a stay-at-home mother, managing the home and growing their family to a total of four children, while following Richard as his career moved them around the country (Louisville, KY; Clarksville, TN; LaCrosse, WI; Clarksville, TN; Brownsville, TN; and then Indianapolis, IN).

In 1973 Judie went back to work as an RN in the Emergency Room at Memorial Hospital in Clarksville. In Brownsville she was the sole RN in a small county hospital each night, with no doctor present, and she did it all! She managed whatever patient came to the ER door, from caring for motor vehicle accident victims to delivering babies who were in a hurry to arrive ....

Judie worked for St. Vincent’s Hospital ED in Indianapolis for 22 years, retiring in 1998. She was a preceptor, a shift manager, and one of the first SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) RNs, for the hospital. Judie was known for her compassion, expertise and leadership, and was well-respected by her colleagues.

Judie and Richard had 52 wonderful years of marriage. They loved to travel to Pensacola Beach, where they collected seashells and watched the Blue Angels. Judie also traveled to Wales, where her Jenkins family had originated, England, and to Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Belize, Mexico and Honduras. Judie loved spending time with her family, playing the piano, sewing, reading, and gardening. She especially enjoyed playing with her rescue pups, Molly, Goldie & Hunny. She was a member of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church.

A celebration of Judie’s life will be held on April 5, 2025 at Leppert Funeral Home in Carmel, Indiana. Visitation 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Funeral 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to GRRACE (Golden Retriever Rescue) or the Susan G. Komen Foundation, in Judith’s memory.