I will always keep close my memories of riding lessons, horse shows, and get togethers. Judy taught me about responsibility, accountability, not getting upset over things you can’t control and working harder at things you can. Many wonderful times were had with Judy, her family, my family, and good ‘ol Wamps. She will be greatly missed ❤️

Jack, I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your mom. She was kind when I stopped by the barn many years ago, trying to get me back into the saddle with this FREE 1/2 hour that I have been walking around with in my wallet all these years.  I have fond memories of the times you and I had riding at FVSA, and your mother’s warmth and kindness will always be remembered.

Dear Family ,

I was so sad to hear of Judy's passing , she was an Amazing woman 
We bought our first horse for Heather and Stephanie from her ,Rosie Delux  , Then Nickie , she and Kristen taught the girls SO MUCH . 
Heaven gained another Angel . Praying for strength and healing 
for all of you .
Linda & Elva

A wise horse trainer once told me, “in order to find out what you want to do in life, you have to figure out what you don’t want to do.” It was my motto and goal in life.  

She was not only my horse trainer but someone I looked up to and admired and was always willing to give personal life advice. Sometimes I hear her quotes in my head from time to time. 

She was the reason I got the job working for Binghams. She always knew I liked a challenge and more times than not, start me on a new project horse (or pony). 

Long weekends at horse shows, fixing fences, watching her work with students were what I remember the most.

Judy was a big part of my life for the 12 years I boarded at Double JR with Dakota. Not only was she  an excellent trainer and  a good friend ,,, she was always good for a funny story,  .  I spent many hours, listening and learning from her  experiences..  she was always ready to help with any health concerns with Dakota.  I am grateful to have known her and will enjoy memories of her forever.. .   Oh, yes, the fun Christmas parties/games  played on horses in the arena.💕 the memories are many !!!!

Judy was one of the first horse people we met when we moved to Marengo. She had nice horse shows. She was a great coach for our three children, Marcia, Craig, and Michelle in teaching them riding and showing. I always thought she had a beautiful smile that reached all the way to her eyes. Judy will be missed by many.
~ Mike and Carole Serotzke.

Judy was my horseback riding instructor between the years of 2014-2017ish. I will wholeheartedly say she was much more then a horsewoman to me, and her spirit will always be in every horse-related thing I do, forever. The things I learned from her were things I could've never been taught in school or with a book, and that something so invaluable to me. I began at Double J/R looking for a place to belong and I found that, among Judy, her horses and her little doxies.

One of the countless times I'd come in the winter just to groom Booker and talk to Judy. His adorable face.

Judy let me ride around bareback for as long as I wanted. She knew I loved Booker dearly and found much of myself on his back. I couldn't afford horse opportunities as a teenager and Judy's farm very quickly became my heaven. The amount of deep conversations she and I had as Booker packed me around that ring, I will never forget them.

Judy and I thinking strategically at Fox Valley. I think I came in 2nd or 3rd place, and Judy and I couldn't of been happier.  My first show on my favorite horse with the best trainer ever guiding me.

Oh Judy!
We met at the vet clinic where you had the right amount of compassion and common sense.
We evolved into professional exchange, I was so flattered when you shared students who desired to learn dressage and jumping with me.
I’m so glad we were able to reconnect in recent years for laughs and story swapping sitting on my front porch.
You were a friend and a mentor, I will not forget you.
My only regret? That I don’t have your peach custard pie recipe haha, Jack or Kristin, maybe you can share it with me some time?

Our hearts are broken over the loss of our dear friend, Judy.  We have such great memories of the kids at the farm - Sarah on her first horse at 3 years old, under Judy's watchful eye, and Jimmy learning to toss flakes of hay into the stalls with Aunt Nettie and Uncle Jack!  We always felt welcome to stop by for a visit at the picnic table under the trees, or letting our Sophie hang out with her Sophie.  And more recently we're grateful for our movie and dinner outings together.  She was so engaging and always up for an adventure.  She made the world a better place, and we will truly miss her presence in our family.  Wishing her a peaceful rest.  Wishing Jim and Jack hearts full of beautiful memories.
Love, 
Jim, Minnie, Jimmy and Sarah Leoni

We have two outstanding memories of being with Judy.

The first one is when we were at the barn and the girls (Judy, Judith, and Victoria) decided they would go on a trail ride so Jonathan and I said that we would come if we could use Tulip and the cart. When on the ride we were going through some very tall grass and the girls lost sight of us so we had to keep the whip up as a flag so they could see where we were.

The second one is where someone, Jonathan, collected a bucket of grass snakes from around the wood pile and brought them into the barn. Judy let out a yell when she saw them and told him to get them out of the barn. And that was the end of that, it never happened again.

Judy also made Victoria’s first Congress showmanship jacket.

I am very sorry to hear of Judy’s passing.  Memories are flooding back to me from when I boarded at Double JR 30+ years ago.  I was in college and had to pay for my own horse “habit”.  I cleaned stalls for a bit to help with that cost.  I remember a horse there named “ER”.  What a character he was!  Thank you Judy for guiding me early on in my riding career!  I have thought of you often over the years and will always remember you 💜

After many years boarding horses at Double JR, I went from boarder to riding student. Judy's skill and patience teaching young and old about horses and riding never wavered. She was a problem solver, always positive and cheerful; her goal was to find a way to explain the situation so her student understood. As a returning adult rider I trusted her to keep me safe.

Aside from horses, Judy and Jack shared an appreciation for music, especially Mozart, as I discovered at the Midwest Mozart Festival. She enjoyed music, people and conversation.

Our friendship grew from a mutual respect that accepted differences of opinions. I'll miss the quest for knowledge we both had; the lunches together we enjoyed;  and the laughter we shared.

Judy was my trainer for almost 20 years. She was a rare person who cared equally for the horse and the rider, and she never lost patience with either of us.

Jack and family, so sorry to hear of Judy’s passing. She was a lovely spirit and truly blessed to be so loved. Hoping your memories will bring you comfort in the days ahead.

Jack,
Your posts and stories about your Mom over time spoke of your fondness and appreciation for her.  You were so blessed to have each other.  You adored her.  She is with you always and forever my friend.  Always and forever.   Much love, ♥️, 
Cat Patenaude

I am so very sorry to read of Judy’s passing😢. Hugs love and sympathy to all of Judy’s family and friends 🤗💗🙏
I met Judy because I wanted to rekindle my yearning for riding(western). How great to have found Judy!  And right “around the corner”! She’s my age so she understood my aches and pains concerning riding.  We hit it off and had some lovely conversations about horses and life. The times I came to ride and relearn were wonderful.  I will never forget.  I wish there had been more times but life gets in the way.  I regret that.  Schrader was her go to horse for me and he was perfect!  Thank you Judy! 💗🙏😢🤗💕🐴
GodSpeed 💔
Mary Hanner
Around the Corner

Judy with Sister-in-Law Michael Ann Walters

Annual lighting of the WOODSTOCK Square with the Leoni family.

Judy teaching Jack how to make her famous broccoli cheddar soup

Judy with best friend Pam Merritt at the Midwest Mozart Festival Sanfilippo Estate

Reflecting on Judy’s bright and kind spirit, and sending the family my condolences at her passing. She was a warm-hearted generous soul, and I know she made the world a better place for many. Thank you Judy, for hosting our grade school reunion at your farm. Your love lives on in the hearts of all those you’ve touched in your lifetime. Thank you dear lady. May your reunions in heaven be blessed.  💜🌈

She was there when I took my first breath. I was there when she was taking her last. 

Such a gift to have been loved, encouraged, mentored and molded by a mother who gave up everything to make sure I had a future. 

She sacrificed so much, for so long with so little.  She sacrificed her own happiness. 

She did everything she could to let me know her unconditional love. It was Omni-present. 

There’s  a lot with the horses of course, but there was also many campaign trips,  canoeing, bike riding, dachshunds, cooking, trains and Cancun. 

We butt heads, we pushed each others buttons., we laughed till we passed out, we sang in the car and she always shared freely her life and generous spirit. 

Enjoying the love of nature, documentaries like Planet Earth & Cosmos as well as Science fiction with Star Trek m, and westerns and a love of movies.  

She often mentioned she was born a hundred years too late (westerns) and I was born a hundred years too late (science fiction.)

She molded me and influenced me in ways that perhaps I will spend the rest of my life discovering. 

Always there to ensure I was ok or when struggling had my back.  Words matter. A mother’s words matter most.  Celebrating my victories and mourning my losses with me. 

Strong men come from stronger women. 
And when I was wronged and destroyed she gently reminded me that: Jack, “Lies are still lies even if everyone believes them. The truth is still the truth even if no one believes it.”

I first met Judy when I applied to clean stalls in exchange for board. I did not actually own a horse and asked her if she would exchange cleaning for lessons. She agreed and that started my love of horses. She helped me get my first horse, an Arabian gelding that I named Rasha. In addition to be a wonderful teacher she became a mentor to me as I navigated all the Ins and outs of horse ownership. She always treated all of us like family. She was a wonderful, kind hearted woman and will be greatly missed.

Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Aunt Judy.   We send strength and hugs to you all.   Judy was welcoming and generous...with the best smile ever.  We will miss having Judy in our lives--but she will remain in our hearts and prayers.   

Love you all, David, Leslie, Ben & Sara.

OBITUARY

Judith Ann Rechsteiner

March 25, 1946 – September 15, 2023

Marengo-Union Funeral Home

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