Judith Lea “Judi” (Thompson) Chalupa

Judith Lea “Judi” (Thompson) Chalupa

Washington

Judith Lea “Judi” (Thompson) Chalupa, 77, of Washington, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at her home in Washington, Iowa, after a lengthy illness.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 25, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of Washington, Pastor Darryl Carr officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. on Monday at the church. Interment will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for First Baptist Church or Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Judi’s family at www.jonesfh.com. For those unable to attend in person, the service will also be offered live from the First Baptist Church of Washington’s Facebook page.

Judi was born March 7, 1946, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the daughter of Milan and Almeda (Beenblossom) Thompson. She graduated from Washington High School in 1964 and later graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1990. She had three daughters from her first marriage, and was then united in marriage to Stephen Chalupa, the love of her life, on April 29, 2000.

Judi began her working career as many young people did at Northrup King in Washington, Iowa. She later co-owned West Side Floral, worked at the Washington County Hospital, was owner of the Copper Penny, worked at the Washington State Bank, and ultimately worked alongside her husband at Chalupa Carpentry until her retirement. During her lifetime Judi was a member of the Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, P.EO, Fortnightly and T.T.T.

Ultimately, however, her most important role in life was being a homemaker and raising her children. She was a loving caregiver, a doting grandmother, and desired to “give everyone the world." Judi was a wonderful cook and her family will always remember her special dishes and desserts she so devotedly prepared. She also enjoyed growing and canning tomatoes and making salsa. Later, when she was unable to do as much, she felt it was her calling to make everyone she came into contact with smile and feel loved, which she most certainly did.

She is survived by her husband, Stephen Chalupa, of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Jennifer Redd and husband Tim of Greenfield, Iowa; daughter, Heather Runge and husband Terry of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; daughter, Wendy Paiva and husband Wilson of North Liberty, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Jordyn, Nicholas, and Hannah Walsh; Rachel, Leah and Rebecca Runge; Olivia, Madeline and Nicole Paiva; two great-grandsons, T.J. and Krew; as well as her sister, Priscilla Anderson and husband Phil of Crockett, Texas.

Judi is also survived by 2 step-daughters, Hayley Blackmon and husband Derrick of Mesa, Arizona; Myriah Bonsall and husband David and their children, Tristan and Harrison of Phoenix, Arizona; mother-in-law, Leta Chalupa of Washington, Iowa; and brother-in-law, Mike Chalupa and wife Janet of Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Judi was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother, Howard James “Jim” Thompson.