Judith Elaine Hemphill

Judith Elaine Hemphill, 84, passed away Monday, April 29, 2019, at 6:29 PM at Bickford Senior Living in Marshalltown, Iowa. She was born at home on January 4, 1935, in Creston, Iowa to George and Lucille (Wurster) Allen, and was the oldest of three children. Judy was raised and attended school in Creston, Iowa. She grew up a tomboy and loved rough housing with her younger siblings, catching frogs and night crawlers and going fishing. During high school she was very outgoing and participated in the Red & White Peppers (Creston High School pep squad and marching unit), swim team and glee club. She was married during her senior year of high school and completed her high school diploma in Corpus Christi, Texas where she had moved with her first husband who was in the military.  She later moved to Renton, Washington and worked as a key punch operator at Boeing and Pacific Car & Foundry.  She eventually returned to Creston and worked at Iowa Electric. She and her first husband had five children together, but later divorced in 1967. On June 29, 1968, she married James Hemphill and moved to Marshalltown.  She gained a step daughter and they had two more children together.  Judy’s favorite job was being a stay at home mom which she did for several years before taking a position as the night receptionist and switchboard operator at the Iowa Veterans Home.  In addition to raising her own seven children, Judy also raised 17 foster sons and hosted two foreign exchange students. Judy was a member of the Central Christian Church in Marshalltown.  She loved her women’s group, Circle Mary, and was the co-chair of the missions committee for several years, a passion that was very dear to her heart.  She was very artistic and enjoyed painting ceramics throughout her life and could be found cheering on her children at their sporting and other events, often with the loudest voice. She enjoyed watching her Cubbies on TV, Wheel of Fortune, Lawrence Welk, soap operas and Painting with Bob Ross.  She loved bird watching and playing cards.  She enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family. From her birth until her death on Monday, she blessed everyone around her with her love, faith, service and hospitality. Judy is survived and will be missed by her husband of 50 years, James E. Hemphill, her sons Don (Rhonda) McCann of Marshalltown, Dave (Debbie) McCann of Ankeny, Dan (Darlene) McCann of Carmel, Indiana, Doug (Sheri) McCann of Marshalltown; her daughters, Cathy Hickok of Marshalltown, Jenni (Jeff) Moorman of Ankeny, Karen (Tyler) Evans of Colfax and Linda Hemphill of Show Low, Arizona; 17 grandchildren – Erin Hickock, Chris (Amy) McCann, Matt McCann, Kelli (Jon) Lange, Mitch (Danny) Waits McCann, Bryan (Jill) McCann, Ashley (Nathan) Paul, Chase (Erica) McCann, Natasha Kelderman, Tori Rigatos, Bobby (Lacey) Kelderman, Kylie Moorman, Miles Israel, Evan Moorman, Bella Israel, Grant Moorman, and Parker Moorman and 17 great grandchildren; her brother Tom (Claudia) Allen of Milton-Freewater, Oregon and six nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, George Allen and Lucille Wurster Allen Hughes, her step father, John Hughes, her brother George Allen, Jr., and her sister, Karen Allen Johnson. A visitation for Judy will be held from 9 - 11 am on Saturday, May 4 at Central Christian Church in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am with Reverend Diana Frieberg officiating. Memorials in Judith’s name may be directed to Iowa River Hospice or the Central Christian Church - Missions. A burial service will follow at 4 PM at Graceland Cemetery in Creston, Iowa. For more information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Judy and her family. To send flowers to the family of Judith Elaine Hemphill, please visit Tribute Store.