Judy was born Aug. 27, 1940, in Jackson, Mich., and moved to Denver, Colo., when she was 5. Her parents, Dorothea and Don Howe, divorced around that time and she and her mother moved to Denver and her father moved to Georgetown, Colo. She spent most summers with her dad playing in the mountains.

Judy went to the University of Colorado in Boulder, studying English and psychology. After college she worked for the Red Cross. She met a dashing Air Force captain, William (Bill) Klopfer, in 1962 at a saloon in Blackhawk, Colo., and married him after dating for just six weeks! They honeymooned locally, as Bill had to stay in contact with his unit during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After spending several years moving around the country with the military, they chose Colorado Springs as a place to raise their children, Laura and Tim. She started a business, Ghost Writer, relying on her skill for, and love of, writing. And she worked as a social worker.

Judy loved creative writing, gardening, sewing, cooking, hiking and photography. She made Laura’s wedding gown, and taught others to sew. As ataxia stole her coordination, and then dementia slowly stole her memory, she never complained and somehow never lost her sparkling personality.

Judy was a loving wife and wonderful mother. She always had a kind word and big smile. She was a generous soul, always seeing the positive in everything, and always grateful.

Judy leaves behind her children, Laura Orrison (Russ) and Tim Klopfer (Joan), as well as four grandchildren, Addie, William, Aiden and Grant. She is predeceased by her parents and her husband. She will be dearly missed.

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