Judith Louise Svendsen

Judith Louise (Rider) Svendsen, 82, of Earlville, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 26, 2025. She was born March 28, 1942, in Mendota, to Ralph and Zelda (Kleckner) Rider.

She met “Swede” Harold M. Svendsen in January 1958 at the Bub Dance in Triumph. They were married August 24, 1958 and spent 66 wonderful years together. Judy started working for Spurgeon’s in Mendota in high school. She later worked as a bookkeeper for numerous area businesses, including Elizabeth Tax Service, Carmul of Shabbona, Schaeffer Grain of Lee, and the Rollo Elevator. She served as Paw Paw Township Supervisor for 44 years. Judy was a very social person. She enjoyed her flowers, reading, researching family genealogy, spending time with family, sitting on the porch, swimming, camping, playing the accordion in her younger years, riding a tandem bike with the blind friend, going to morning coffee with her friends and helping Swede farm for many years.

Judy was also very civic minded. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She organized the Rollo Park Board in 1979 and was a founding board member of the N.I.C.E. Center in Lee, organized the SLR Museum writing the first grant. She was a member of the Rollo Congregational United Church of Christ, where she was the Junior Choir Director, Pilgrim Fellowship group leader, involved in the young adults group, several church boards and was in charge of the Turkey Supper carryout department. Judy was also considered the “unofficial” mayor of Rollo for many years. She took many trips with Swede and the Corn Growers Association throughout the states. Judy also organized and wrote scripts for many of the first areas cemetery walks as fundraisers.

Judy is survived by her husband of 66 years, Harold “Swede” Svendsen; her children, Jeff (Joetta) Svendsen of West Brooklyn, Char (Dean) Hawbaker of Mt. Dora, FL, Larry (Carol) Svendsen of Shabbona, and Stacy Richardson of Earlville; sister, Barb Klatt; sisters-in-law, Paula Rider and Patricia Schou; brother-in-law, Charles (Anna) Svendsen; grandchildren, Ashley (Ron) Hawbaker, Jessica (Brent) Olson, Lucas Svendsen, Lindsay Svendsen, J. Adam (Alyssa) Svendsen, Kaylie (Jake) Pratt, and Joel Svendsen; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Madyson, Kora, and Benjamin; and many nieces and nephews.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Helen Algiere and Peggy Fassig; brother, William “Bill” Rider; brothers-in-law, Jerry Klatt, Duane Fassig, and Howard Schou; and son-in-law, Ray Richardson.

Visitation will be from 2-5 P.M. Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Rollo Congregational United Church of Christ. A private family funeral service will be held on Sunday. Memorials may be directed to Rollo Park, Rollo Church or the N.I.C.E. Center. Please visit www.TormanFuneralHome.com to sign the online guest book.