Judith Helen Bredemeier White

On the morning of January 8, 2025, our beloved Judith Helen Bredemeier White passed away peacefully. She was 81 years old. 

Judy was born to Kenneth Gordon Bredemeier and Maxine Shirley Yentsch on September 2, 1943, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Her childhood, though marked by economic hardship and frequent moves, became the foundation for the deep and unbreakable bond she shared with her two older siblings—a connection that endured throughout their lives. Guided by her strong, resourceful, and optimistic mother, she became a person of strength and creativity, turning life's challenges into opportunities.

Judy and Gary Valeika married in 1960. The two of them moved from the Midwest to California, embracing the culture and spirit of the 60s. Her desire to fully experience life made her perpetually inquisitive. Full of creativity and a sense of adventure, Judy motivated others to explore new experiences—be it trying different cuisines, learning musical instruments, traveling to unfamiliar destinations, or creating art. She invited everyone to live boldly, always with lots of laughter and without embarrassment. She loved music, art, photography, dancing, cooking, reading, and held a deep love for nature, often hiking or bird watching. 

As a mother and grandmother, Judy’s love was unconditional, offering unwavering support to her children and grandchildren. She entertained, traveled with, celebrated with, and missed no opportunity to spend time with her family, children, and grandchildren.

Judy began college at Mt. San Antonio College in California, later graduating in 1981 after moving to Utah, with a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Utah, while working full-time and coparenting their two children. She spent 17 years proudly working as a Probation and Parole Officer for the Utah Department of Corrections, leaving in 1998. 

After retiring, she married Frederick White in 1998. Judy and Fred traveled internationally and lived throughout the West, in Idaho, Arizona, and several locations in Utah, finally settling in St. George. Her final two and a half years were spent in independent living and memory care at Fairfield Village in Layton, where she continued to laugh, make friends and have a full life in spite of Alzheimer's disease.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Chuck, and her husband Fred. She is survived by her sister Louise, first husband Gary, good friend Franklin Gordon, and children, Sean (Kim) and Brandie (Greg) Pearson, as well as six grandchildren, Lillian, Sophie, Ellery, Elsie, August, and Olivia.

We are grateful to the staff at Fairfield Village Memory Care and Inspiration Hospice for providing Judy with friendship, joy, and genuine loving care. A celebration of Judy's life will be held on January 30, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Jensen Park Visitor Center, 3176 So. Bluff Rd. Syracuse, Utah. If unable to attend, please feel free to share any thoughts or memories via email at onehalcyon@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Utah chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.