Judith Engel

Judy A. Engel

Judy Engel, 73, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Mimi, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 18, surrounded by her loving family. Judy grew up in Marienthal, KS, one of four children born to Frank and Tillie Schreck, and attended Wichita Community High School, where she was crowned Basketball Homecoming Queen her senior year, the “Dear Heart” of not just her school but the countless people she touched throughout her life. Judy graduated with a degree in nursing from Marymount College in 1969; while there, she met he love of her life, Michael Engel, on a blind date that evolved into a five-decade partnership. Judy began her career at Watkins Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, KS and later worked as a school nurse at Trailridge Elementary school in Kansas City, O’Loughlin Elementary school in Hays, Kansas, and finally as a nurse circulating in all USD489 elementary schools.

Although Judy’s nursing career gave her much joy, it was her three children, Rebecca, Paul, and Lori, and her grandchildren Paxton, Briggs, Matthew, Alana, and Georgia around which her and her husband Mike’s lives centered and flourished. Her sister Mary Jane Lily was her best friend; they would spend their time together exercising, shopping, gardening, and in perpetual conversation about life, memories, and family.

Judy was a selfless soul, wanting to make sure everyone else’s needs were taken care of before hers. It is this selflessness that defined Judy’s essence, not only through her chosen profession, but also through every life she was able to touch. It was always her goal to make sure that when you were in her presence, you were comfortable. Your comfort was what made her so happy.

Judy loved to post meaningful quotes around her kitchen, interspersed with Christmas cards and her grandchildren’s school pictures; among them: “Our family is a circle of strength and love. With every union, with every child born, the circle grows. Every challenge faced together makes the circle stronger,” and the circle will remain strong because of Judy’s eternal love and devotion to her family. She is survived by her loving husband and constant companion Michael, daughter Rebecca Engel Kyger and her husband John Kyger, son Paul Engel and his wife Casey Engel, daughter Lori Engel Courtney and her husband John Courtney, and the lights of her life, her grandchildren Paxton and Briggs Kyger, Matthew and Alana Courtney, and Georgia McCabe. Judy is also survived by her brother Dan Schreck and his wife Mary, brother Tom Schreck and his wife Debbie, nephew Matthew Schreck and his wife Lisa Schreck, nephew Tanner Schreck and Kim Kelley, sister Mary Jane Lilly and her husband Richard Lilly, niece Sara Lilly Falter and her husband Brian, nephew Jason Lilly and his wife Kelli, and nephew Aaron Lilly and his wife Christine Lilly.