Judith J. Finnell

Judith “Judy” Joy Finnell, of Lennox, South Dakota died peacefully at home on November 17, 2025 at the age of 80. Visitation from 5-7 pm, Friday, November 21, 2025 at Jarman Family Funeral Home in Lennox. Memorial Service at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Lennox. A livestream of the service may be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgbWA3J1a8o933AxlzM3Qbg Judy was born, the middle child of seven, on February 16, 1945 in Sioux Falls to parents Harry and Dena Kock. A natural caregiver, Judy grew up milking cows and looking after her siblings on the family farm near Chester. She graduated from Chester High School in 1963 and took several college classes before beginning her 48-year career. She started out working for an insurance agency, and was also a bookkeeper for Amert Construction in Madison. Later, Judy’s aptitude for finances and numbers helped her move into financial officer positions with Sioux Vocational School in Sioux Falls, followed by the City of Lennox, from which she retired after 17 years. Along the way, Judy was introduced to Donald Finnell and the two were united in marriage on March 24, 1979 in Sioux Falls. The family lived in Tea, South Dakota where they attended Trinity Lutheran Church for many years before settling in Lennox. Judy was a faithful member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church and lived by example, treating everyone she met with equality and respect. Judy found joy and contentment in everything and everyone around her. She loved animals, especially cats and dogs, and she had a soft spot for chickens. She enjoyed a good rummage sale and loved to cut the flowers Don grew in his garden. But above all, Judy loved her family and friends. She never missed an opportunity to let them know how important they were to her, which is why once you were a friend to Judy, it was forever. Judy is survived by her husband of 46 years, Don Finnell of Lennox; children, Dawn Zimmerman of Alexandria, MN and Doug (Bobbi) Finnell of Marion, SD; grandchildren, Aaron (Kylie) Nyblom, Julie Van Tilburg, Sarah Finnell, Elise (Taylor) Bruinsma, Zachary (Samantha) Zimmerman, Katrina Zimmerman, Hailey Attema, Matthew Finnell, Anthony Finnell and Lukas Finnell; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Richard Kock of Madison and Gloria (Warren) Bidwell of New Ulm, MN; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family including the Merry family, and lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter-in-law Denise Finnell, her mother’s second husband Ernest D. Merry, siblings Joanne Gagnon, Lyvonne Yeigh, Merlin Kock, and Gerald Kock, sister-in-law Linda Finnell, and brother-in-law Robert Finnell. Memorial donations may be made to The Kitten League or any local animal rescue organization.

Judith J. Finnell

February 16, 1945 - November 17, 2025

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