Judith Ann "Judy" Barde passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, surrounded by the family she loved and cared for so deeply throughout her life.
Judy was born and raised in Pittsburg, Kansas, where she met the love of her life, Alex Barde. They began their married life together in Heidelberg, Germany, where their first two children, Dimitre and Lisa, were born. Two years later, they returned to Kansas, where their third child, Ethan, was born. Together they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage. In 2019, Judy and Alex moved to Douglas, Michigan, to be closer to their family.
While raising her children, Judy was a nurse's aide and later returned to school to become a registered nurse. Her career spanned emergency rooms, obstetrics, and work as a travel nurse. Caring for others was not simply her profession. It was an essential part of who she was.
Judy was an artist, a lifelong adventurer, and a devoted caretaker who approached life with imagination, courage, and ingenuity. When Judy set her mind to something, she usually found a way to make it happen. She was a gifted photographer, a relentless problem solver, and delighted in bringing new life to old treasures. Whether she was creating handmade gifts or finding new uses for forgotten things, Judy had a remarkable gift for making ordinary moments feel extraordinary. She handcrafted scrapbooks, refurbished an Airstream trailer, and partnered with Alex in transforming a former railroad engine house into the innovative passive solar home where they built the next chapter of their family's life.
When Alex accepted a one year sabbatical in Puebla, Mexico, Judy eagerly embraced the adventure. The family made the journey by car, creating memories they would cherish for the rest of their lives.
Judy loved travel, camping, sailing, and cycling. She participated in Bike Across Kansas several times and always maintained a sense of wonder, once dreaming of hopping aboard a freight train just to see where it might lead.
Together, Judy and Alex built a life filled with creativity, curiosity, and adventure. Their talents complemented one another beautifully, inspiring all three of their children to remain curious and find beauty in everyday life. Judy often reminded them that it wasn't the type of camera that mattered, but how you used it.
She had an ability to make each person feel as though they were the most important and special person in the room. Whether you were one of her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or a friend, Judy made you feel deeply loved. She was the heart of her family.
If there was a way to make life more beautiful, more creative, or more memorable for the people she loved, Judy would find a way.
Judy is lovingly remembered by her husband, Alex Barde; her children, Dimitre (Rachel Green) Barde, Lisa (Dave) Strohauer, Ethan (Tammy Kerr) Barde, and Shala Larsen, a cherished member of the family; her grandchildren, Ellie Barde, Sam Larsen, Alec Kerr, Zac Kerr, and Luke Barde; her sister, Vickie (Kenny) Waltrip; her nieces and nephews, Jason (Michelle) Waltrip, Stephanie (PJ) Forbes, Emily (Justin) Hamilton,
Brad Waltrip, and Katie (Justin) Swezey; her brother and sister in law, Billy (Diane) Bardy; her nephews, Brad (Linda Knight) Bardy and Troy (Kate) Bardy; and a joyful crowd of great-nieces and great-nephews, far too numerous to name individually but each very much a part of the family she loved.
She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Sterling Strohauer; her parents, Edwin Albert "Ed" Herbeck and Ann Herbeck; her brother in law, Peter Bardy; her sister in law, Helen Bardy; and her parents in law, Dimitris Naum "Peti" Barde and Sena Barde.
A celebration of Judy's life will be held at a later date. Details will be shared with family and friends once arrangements have been made.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Judy’s memory may be made to Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency in Saugatuck, Michigan. To make a donation, please visit: www.ox-bow. org/ways-to-give.
Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Home-Saugatuck Chapel.
