Judith L. Boerger, 85

Judith Lee (Farber) Boerger, 85, passed away on December 15, 2025, in Grand Island surrounded by her family. 

Services were held Monday, December 22, at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island. Pastor Bill Pavuk officiated. A burial followed at the Duff Cemetery. Condolences can be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Grand Island or the Duff Cemetery.

Judy was born, October 24, 1940, to John Virgil Farber, JR, and Verna Mary (Bratthauer) Farber in Ainsworth. Judy was the oldest daughter of John and Verna. Five years later, her sister Marie Jeanette (Farber) Dodd joined their family.

Judy attended school in Ainsworth from elementary through high school. Judy graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1958 with very close classmates. To this date, the Class of 1958 girlfriends continue to send a “Round Robin” letter to stay in touch with one another. After high school, Judy resided in Omaha and was a secretary to a trucking company. Her life changed when she was back home in the Sandhills and attended a dance in Valentine, where she met the love of her life Ben Boerger. Ben & Judy were married on July 12, 1959, at the United Methodist Church in Ainsworth. They proudly shared 61 years of marriage prior to Ben’s passing. They made their home in Rose on a family ranch that was homesteaded by Ben Boerger’s grandparents from Germany in 1885. They were blessed with two daughters, Lori and Carole. Judy was filled with love for her husband and two girls.

Together they taught their girls compassion and the value of hard work ethics on the ranch. The Boerger family was proud recepients of the Nebraska Pioneer Farm Award in 1995, honoring the ranch's 100-year heritage.

Judy was always the first person to bring a homemade meal to someone in need or want to share her cooking and baking talents. 

The vegetable gardens Judy raised and canned goods she preserved were truly amazing. Her baking abilities began at a young age when she worked at the Ainsworth Bakery that her parents owned. They were famous for their made-from-scratch pastries, especially the “Chubbie Roll” which Judy’s father John mastered.

In 1996, Ben and Judy retired from ranching and moved to Grand Island to make their home. Together Ben and Judy enjoyed their
church family at St. Paul Lutheran Church and after services you would find their group going for brunch. They were blessed to spend 23 winters in South Padre Island, Texas, where they made life long friends. The “Chapel by the Sea” in South Padre was dear to their hearts. Ben and Judy enjoyed traveling to many countries throughout the years, creating many memories to enjoy. Their five grandchildren brought them pure joy. They delighted seeing them grow into the professional adults they are today. They were blessed with four greatgrandchildren to love on and treasure! 

Judy believed in giving and serving in her community until her health began to fail. Judy served as 4-H Leader for Rose Scouts, held all officer positions in the Jolly Neighbors Extension Club, a member of the KBR Extension Council Board, Rock County Extension Council Chairman, Rock County High School Advisory Board Member, Charter Member and President of Sandhills Quilt Guild, collaborative writer of the Rock County Centennial Book and member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Grand Island. When asked her greatest accomplishment of these, her reply was composing the Rock County Centennial Book with her friends Susan Buell and Geneva Davis because of all of the information they gathered and compiled.

Judy was an articulate gardener, famous holiday sugar cookie maker, afghan knitter, accomplished seamstress, a quilt maker, china painter, South Padre Snow Bird, and amazing listener, and a genuine caring and kind hearted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was known for her advice of “Put your faith in God and He will work it out”.

Judy is survived by her daughters, Lori (Rod) Stolcpart of Newport and Carole (Brian) Urbom of Grand Island; five grandchildren, Brad (Tara) Stolcpart of Kearney, Jenna (Ryan) Pickel of Johnson Lake, Michaela (Chayse) Gulzow of Doniphan, Allison (Ryan) Roach of Allen, Texas, and Andrew Urbom of Grand Island; four great-grandchildren, Brynlee and Marley Stolcpart, Emma Pickel and Barron Gulzow; a sister, Marie Dodd of Ainsworth; sister-in-law, Lois Nydle of Grand Island; nieces and nephews; a very special caregiver, Kathy Thompson; and a host of friends. 

She is preceded in death by her husband Ben L. Boerger; her parents John and Verna Farber; her father and mother-in-law Herman and Eunice Boerger; and brother- in-law Fred Nydle.