Judy Gremel

Judith Ann (Wien) Gremel, 79, Tipton, passed away immersed in the sound of hymns and surrounded by her family on Tuesday, February 23, 2022.

Judy was born April 19, 1942 to Ruth (Basey) Wien and Kermit Wien in Lafayette. She was baptized in her faith as a baby and later confirmed her faith at St. James Lutheran Church in Lafayette.

Judy attended Concordia River Forest Teacher’s College in Chicago, Illinois where she met Kurt Gremel, who saw her and thought she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. On June 27, 1965, Kurt and Judy united as one and began their adventure.   Kurt and Judy started life together in Cincinnati, Ohio where Judy worked as an elementary Lutheran school teacher.   From there, life with Kurt took Judy and the family to several different cities, including Midland, Michigan, Decatur, Illinois, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.  She made many friends along the way whom she continued to travel to visit until recent years.  In 1979, they moved to Tipton, Indiana where she and Kurt settled in to raise their four children.

Judy’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She served as a devoted Pastor’s wife and participated in many church activities through the years: Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Dorcas Circle, Alter Guild, Choir, playing bells, and attending Pastor’s wives’ retreats.  She treasured the many friends she made on her faith journey.    Judy also loved to teach and spent many years in the Tipton Community School systems as a substitute teacher.

Judy and Kurt were blessed with four children who provided them with 16 grandchildren that were the apple of her eye.  Judy wouldn’t miss her grandkids’ activities – theatre, sports – whether a Blue Devil, Husky, Raider, Golden Eagle, Cougar, or Miller – she attended them all in the school’s spirit wear and with her nails done to match.  An avid Purdue fan, Judy didn’t hesitate to get into IU gear to support her grandson on the IU Football field. Judy’s competitive spirit also came alive on the golf course, whether with the Tipton Women’s League or traveling to play with friends in Florida and Tennessee.  On the quieter side, her love of quilting and sewing produced the most impeccable quilts that are treasured by her family to this day.  She loved a good devotion or mystery novel.  Judy was never lost for words and her love of being with people included playing cards and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Kurt Gremel of Tipton; children, Stephanie (Mike) Moses of Tipton, Kent (Bethany) Gremel of Atlanta, Heather (Bobby) Delagrange of Carmel, and Shane (Keta) Gremel of Tipton; grandchildren, Natalie, Aidan, and Meghan Moses, Hailey (David) Branham, Grant, Isaac, and Eisley Gremel, Zach and Sydney Delagrange, Addison, Kurt, and Reese Gremel, and Olivia, Landon, and Owen Spidel.

Judy is also survived by her mother, Ruth Wien, sisters, Marcia Williams of Daytona Beach and Melodi Mowery of Washington, Indiana;  brothers, Mike Wien of  Port Orange, Florida, Steve Wien of Lafayette, Kevin Wien of Lafayette, along with several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her father, Kermit Wien, one son and one grandchild, Bryna Lynne Gremel.

Funeral services for Judy will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 28 at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tipton.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.  Visitation is from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday at Young-Nichols Funeral Home.

Memorial donations in Judy’s honor may be made to ABC & Me Childcare through Young-Nichols Funeral Home, 216 W. Jefferson Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.