February 6, 2024

Linn County News

Published February 7, 2024

Judith “Judy” Ellen Richardson, 82, of Valley Falls, formerly of Mound City, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at the St. Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City. She was born on Aug. 10, 1941, in Kansas City, Mo., to Charles and Mary Lewis.

After graduating from Washington High School in Kansas City, Judy worked as a secretary and was an assembly line worker at General Motors. She later received her associate degree in retail management from Johnson County Community College and became a manager at K-Mart.

Judy married Leslie E. Richardson on October 1, 1981. The couple resided in Mound City for many years, where they were active in their church and the Linn County Republican Party. Leslie preceded her death in 2015.

Judy enjoyed cooking, gardening, and her animals. Most of all, Judy was a devout Christian who loved reading her Bible and sharing her faith.

Survivors include her daughter, Julie Craft of Valley Falls; and her son, John “Chris” Sands of Topeka; sister, Sandra Ferrell of Warsaw, Mo.; five grandchildren, Chuck (Calie) Craft of Meriden, Maggie Giebler of Valley Falls, Kate Craft of Valley Falls, John Garrett of Jackson, Ohio, and Thomas Garrett (Stacy) of Ft. Worth, Texas; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Mary Elizabeth Sands; son-in-law, Brent Craft; sister, Marilyn Rapp; and brother, Charles “Chuck” Lewis II.

Private services will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jefferson County Hospice or the Valley Falls Christian Church, c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave the family a condolence, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.