Judy Evelyn Butcher Friesen ~ Class of 1967
Arrived ~ October 16, 1949
Departed ~ March 29, 2024
Lovingly Reported by Vince Bennett Jr.
Judith Evelyn Butcher Friesen – Obituary – Elk City, Oklahoma
Judith Evelyn Friesen was born October 16th, 1949 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Elizabeth Ann (Luellen) and Orby Lee Butcher, Jr. She passed away at her home in Elk City, Oklahoma on Friday, March 29th, 2024 at the age of 74 years, 5 months and 13 days.
Judith, known by most as “Judy”, spent her younger childhood in Oklahoma City and Ft. Worth, Texas. At the age of 11 her father, being a medical missionary, moved to Thailand where she spent the majority of her formative years. She attended school at the International School of Bangkok graduating in June of 1967. Judy returned to the states where she attended Oklahoma Baptist University where she obtained her bachelors degree in nursing. In her father’s clinic she met a gentleman by the name of Dennis Jay Friesen. They were later married at Beaver, Oklahoma on June 5, 1971. Together they made their home in Oklahoma where she worked at Presbyterian Hospital in the Coronary Care Unit where she remained for 3 years. When Dennis began his residency they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1974. They remained in that area until 1977 when they moved to Elk City, Oklahoma where they made their home. Judy was a substitute teacher at Pioneer Schools but for the better part of 20 years she enjoyed caring and teaching numerous children at Rainbow Lane Preschool. After 2013-2014, Judy retired and enjoyed quilting, cooking, reading, and spending time with her Bunco group. She and Dennis also enjoyed traveling to Chama, New Mexico where they were avid glampers and actively worked with the First Baptist Church out there during the summers.
She is preceded by her parents.
Judy is survived by her husband, Dennis, of the home; 3 children, Shelley Franklin and husband, Jeff, Oklahoma City, OK, Allison Curran and husband, Todd, Tulsa, OK, and Nathan Friesen and wife, Amanda, Elk City, OK; 6 grandchildren, Chloe Franklin, Caleb Franklin, Mason Friesen, Luke Friesen, Chelsea Curran, and Brooklyn Curran; 3 brothers, John “Steve” Butcher and wife, Lacreta, and Michael Butcher and wife, Rhonda, Peter Butcher and a host other relatives and friends.
The family suggest memorial donations be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief at BGCO Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 North May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or online at www.okdisasterhelp.org.