Judith E. (Murry) Hauer, 60

Buffalo — Judith E. (Murry) Hauer, age 60, of Buffalo, died July 20, 2009, after her graceful battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family.

Her funeral was held at Zion Lutheran Church on July 23, 2009. Reverend Judy Burgett Winzig officiated. Burial was at the Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo.

Judith Eileen was born in Winnebago on July 1, 1949, to William and Maryce (Haugh) Murry. She was the Delavan High School Class Valedictorian in 1967. She graduated summa cum laude from Mankato State University in 1971 with a degree in sociology. In 1969 she married Luke Way. Beginning in 1975, they made their home in Monticello, where Judy stayed home to care for their six children. They were foster parents from 1972-1979. During her years as a homemaker, Judy also worked for the Welcome Wagon, started the Monticello Emergency Food Shelf, and was very active at the St. Henry’s Catholic Church. In 1985, she began working as a social worker at the Ebenezer Covenant Home in Buffalo. On July 22, 1989, she married Gerald “Jerry” Hauer at the Hosanna Lutheran Church in Buffalo and they soon made their home in Buffalo. In the mid 90’s Judith began working as a social worker for the Monticello-Big Lake Community Hospital and Nursing Home, where she worked until she became ill in 2007. Judy was a member of the Minnesota Nursing Home Social Workers Association. While living in Buffalo, she was a very active member of Zion Lutheran Church. She enjoyed sewing, reading, watching Twins baseball, and playing with her 20 grandchildren. She was always active in her children’s school functions, including sports, music and academics. She and her husband Jerry chaperoned many band trips for the Buffalo High School Marching Band and were “band aids” for several years. Judy is well known for her kindness and her ability to express herself, advocate for others, and speak in truths with grace. She helped and served a lot of people in need, and used her talents wisely to serve her community.

Judy is survived by her husband, Jerry; mother, Maryce Murry of Mankato; children: Amy (Matthew) Intrieri of Albertville, Matthew (Caren) Way of Prior Lake, Mary Way of Buffalo, Megan (Scott) Buck of Plymouth, Emily (Travis) Brott of Waukee, Iowa, and Andrew (Dawn) Puroway of St. Paul; step-children: Peter (Janelle) Hauer, Kris (Duane) Bordak, Laura Hauer, and Jana (Vern) Thorson, all of Buffalo; siblings: Michael (Laurel) Murry of Robbinsdale, Charles (Sara) Murry of Winnebago, Timothy (Connie) Murry of North Mankato, Richard (Dana) Murry of Mankato, Philip (Debbie) Murry of Le Center, and Joan (Don) Wesely of Eagle Lake; 20 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father William Murry.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the American Cancer Society or to the Juvenile Diabetes Association.

The Peterson Chapel – Buffalo Funeral Home assisted the family. Online condolences may be made at www.thepetersonchapel.com