Judith Ann (Kostecka) Ruge

Judith Ann (Kostecka) Ruge was born on November 6, 1945 to John and Mary (Trimmer) Kostecka.  She was a loving, devoted mother whose passion in life was to always help her children.  Judy had a love for cooking that her three children have carried on with.  When Rhonda opened her café, she was there regularly to help, whether it was to wait tables or making gallons of soup.  Judy also moved to Kansas to help Jim’s family.  She took care of the boys while Jim and Stacy worked.  That meant a lot of trips to practices and all the other activities the boys were involved in.  She helped Ang and her girls during difficult times in their lives and most recently helped Ang get settled into a new home. 

Judy had struggled for many years with illnesses.  In the fall of 2015, she became ill and after weeks of unsuccessful treatment she was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for treatment.  Judy was diagnosed with MDS, which is a pre cancer of the blood which prevented her from fighting any infection.  Over the years, she has had a couple of “grandma names” both related to her dogs that she owned.  In the beginning, it was “Grandma Tiny” and most recently “Grandma Kobe”.  Kobe is now part of her grandson’s family (Elliott Halvorsen) son of Rhonda.  Judy decided to donate her body to science and in 2011 completed the proper paperwork to have that done. 

The night before Judy passed away her family surrounded her bed and had a celebration.  They had pizza, beer, music and shared so many stories of her.  She knew we were there but could not communicate.  The next day she opened her eyes and got a sad face with tears in her eyes and left us.  Judith passed away surrounded by her loving family on October 10, 2015.  She was preceded in death by her father John Kostecka, a brother Dennis Kostecka, step-father Ole Olson, and sister-in-law Swan Kostecka.

Judith is survived by her children: Angela “Ang” Beckman of Avoca, NE; Rhonda Halvorsen and her husband Jay of Eagle, NE; James “Jim” Gilbert and his wife Stacy of Holcomb, KS; grandchildren: Kiley (Adam) Wilkason, Ashley Beckman and fiancé Andy Barnes, Shelbie (Josh) Carson, Elliott (Keri) Halvorsen, Clay and Trey Gilbert; great-grandchildren: Josh, Abbi, Rowan and Gavin Wilkason; McKenzie and Jace Barnes; Caden and Carly Halvorsen; mother Mary Olson of Table Rock, NE; brothers: Ron Kostecka and his wife Ann of Table Rock, NE; Rob Kostecka of Table Rock, NE; and many other relatives and friends.

Graveside Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at the Bohemian Cemetery, east of Table Rock, Nebraska with Pastor Howard Blecha officiating.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the family’s choice with a later designation.

Online messages of condolence can be left at www.wherrymortuary.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-Humboldt, Nebraska (402) 862-2915

 Service Information