Judith J. Hybertson was born October 1, 1935 in Sioux City, IA and was adopted by Eugene and Elizabeth Varnum in January of 1936. She went to meet her Lord on April 22, 2009 at Sanford Foundation Hospice Cottage at the age of 73 years, 6 months and 21 days.

Judy lived in Sioux City until 1945 when they moved to the Varnum Farm on Frog Creek Road near Centerville. She attended Frog Creek Country School, Wakonda High School, and Sioux Falls College where she earned her teaching degree. She taught in rural schools and in Irene. Judy married Verlyn E. Hybertson of Centerville on June 5, 1955. They were blessed with four children, Ronald, Donald, Bonnie and Connie. They also had a number of foster children. Judy continued her education and got her Social Work License working for Catholic Social Services in Rapid City, where they had moved to in 1968. She was Supervisor of Adoptions and Foster Care with this agency for many years. During this time she helped found Birthright Inc. of Rapid City and the South Dakota Adoption Council, for which she served as President for a number of years. One of her greatest achievements was receiving the coveted Bishops Award for Excellent Service when she left Catholic Social Services of Rapid City. Judy also volunteered with hospice programs and taught the I Can Cope workshop for the American Cancer Society. Her love was helping people in their final days with many hours spent at the Hospice Cottages in Sioux Falls. Judy located her birth mother and birth father whom she became very close to in later years. She was blessed with one more brother and three sisters by her birth father. Judys parents were thrilled to get to know her birthparents and thanked them for the gift of her life.

Judy was an active member of First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls where she was involved with the Ambassadors Sunday School Class. She also sang in the choir in Rapid City for many years.

She was preceded in death by her adoptive parents and birth parents.

Her survivors include her husband Verlyn, Sioux Falls; 2 sons: Robert (Rebecca), Brighton, CO, Donald, Sioux Falls; 2 daughters: Bonnie Rowland, Sioux Falls and Connie (Steve) Fenenga, Rapid City; 7 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild; special family members Srinivas and Uma Yalamanchi and children; 2 brothers: James Varnum, Centerville, and Preston (Connie) Baldwin, Springfield, MO; 3 sisters: Dawn (John) Whittington, West Fork, AR, Francine (Malcome) McKensie, Springfield, MO and Joy Kiley, Springfield, MO; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held 10:00AM, Saturday, April 25, at First Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation with family present will be Friday from 6PM to 8PM with a prayer service at 7:00PM at Wass Funeral Home in Centerville.

Memorials may be directed to Sanford Hospice.