Judith Gease

Judi Gease, 56, of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, October 11, 2018, at Lake Region Healthcare

Judith (Van Eps) Gease was born in Morris, MN on June 2, 1962 to JoAnne (Ver Steeg) and Marvin Van Eps.

She fought a brave fight with cancer, first beating breast cancer, only to be struck with adrenal gland cancer shortly after.  She was a loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend to many.  She was a special education teacher to hundreds of students for years in the Fergus Falls area.

Judi graduated from Hancock High school in 1980.  She went on to attend St. Cloud Technical College and received a degree in Child Development.  She worked as a Paraprofessional for the Morris School district for many years, deciding then she wanted to be a teacher.  She enrolled at MSU Moorhead and graduated in 1988 with a degree in elementary education, later getting her master’s degree in Special Education.

Judi met the love of her life, Steve Gease, in Morris and married in 1989.  They made their home in Fergus Falls where Steve worked at Stenerson Lumber. They had two children, Connor and DeAndre.

Judi loved life.  Her smile lit up the room and she brought fun with her.  Her goal was to make everything a fun adventure. She spent many summers traveling, going to WeFest, and finding the joy in little things. She and Steve were Gopher fans first, but also liked to attend NDSU Bison games. She loved kayaking, biking, and camping with her family.  Itasca State Park was a special place for her and family each year.  The YMCA was a second home to Judi, whether it was working at the front desk or participating in exercise classes. When she wasn’t able to work out anymore, she took up crocheting again and has made many afghans for her friends and family.  She was an avid scrapbooker and loved her school children like they were her own.

Judi was active in Education Minnesota, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the YMCA, Kids Against Hunger and also found support groups to help through the struggles she faced in the Pink it Forward group, FM Breast Friends, Tamoxifen Support Group and DIEP Flap Support Group.

She is survived by her husband, Steven Gease of Fergus Falls; her children, Connor of Fargo, ND and DeAndre of Moorhead, MN; her mother, JoAnne Van Eps of Morris, MN; her brothers and sisters, Karen (Greg) Schiebout of Moravia, IA, Laura (Craig) Jones of Alexandria, MN, Bern (Lois) Van Eps of Chokio, MN, Marilyn (Russell) Hoge of Aneta, ND, John (Deb) Van Eps of Blaine, MN, Arvin (Sharon) Van Eps of Morris, MN, and Mike (Julie) Van Eps of Wahpeton, ND; her mother and father-in-law, Jim and Ruth Thompson of Tracy, MN; her sisters and brothers-in-law, DelRae (Jack) Chivers of Detroit Lakes, MN, Julie (Chuck) Fabijanic of San Diego, CA, and Kalen (Tom) Nelson of Tracy, MN; her special friends, Sheri McKeever and Laura Rader; and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father, Marvin Van Eps.

Judi’s wish was that we have a celebration of her life.  Her faith was strong.   We ask that you join us for a Memorial Service at 3:00 PM Friday, October 19, 2018, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, with visitation one hour prior to services at the church.  Following the service, a Celebration of Judi’s Life will take place from 4 – 7 PM at the Fergus Falls YMCA.

Clergy:  Reverend Tom Peterson

Online Guestbook, Video Tribute, and Funeral Webcast:  GlendeNilson.com

Arrangements by Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Lake Region Cancer Center, Fergus Falls YMCA, or Pink It Forward www.pinkitforward.com.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Judith Gease, please visit our Tree Store.