Judith May Miettunen Repplinger

Judith (Judy) Repplinger (1940 - 2012)

"Faith learns how to receive all that the Lord gives with..." - Carol and Len Harms

Judith May Miettunen Repplinger May 19, 1940 - July 5, 2012

TUALATIN - Judith (Judy) was welcomed into heaven by her Lord on July 5, 2012. She was born on May 19, 1940 in Oregon City to Elsie Doris Robarts & Ray A. Miettunen, the second of three children. She grew up in the small community of Yoder, Oregon, where many of her relatives lived, & graduated from Molalla High School in 1958. She graduated from Willamette University in 1962 with a B.A. & Alpha Lambda Delta honors, & she also attended continuing art education classes at Oregon College of Education.

Judy was an art teacher at Salem's Waldo Junior High for two years before having children & becoming a stay-at-home mother & farm wife. She was married to Donald L. Repplinger from 1962-2009. She served as a volunteer at the State of Oregon Library for the Talking Books & Braille Service, a Postal Clerk for the U.S. Postal Service, & worked at Edelweiss Perennials.

She was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheridan where she considered many of the members as her extended family. Among her hobbies were baking, gardening, drawing, painting, photography, singing, rockhounding, & researching genealogy, especially her Yoder heritage. She loved to travel locally and internationally, & recent journeyed to Africa (Mafia Island) to safari, help inoculate cattle & help fund raise for a water well for school children.

Above all, Judy genuinely loved people, regularly opening her heart & home to others. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, & friend. She is survived by her children: Laurie (Repplinger) & Roy Widing, Victoria (Repplinger) & Urs Baltensperger, John & Connie (Hatcher) Repplinger, Linda Repplinger & Ken Labor, as well as two sisters, Muriel van Veen & Nancy Dilger, & eight grandchildren.

A memorial service for the celebration of Judy's life will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 311 Southeast Schley Street, Sheridan, OR 97378, on Thursday, July 26th at 11:00 a.m. with a reception following. Pastor Eugene Ludwig will conduct the service. Judy's remains will be laid to rest with her parents & extended family at Smyrna Church Cemetery in Yoder, Oregon. Judy once wrote, "While I can't solve the world's problems, maybe I can help to get a well." In memory of Judy, financial donations may be given to the World Vision Water Well Project (donate.worldvision.org).

Reprinted from the obituary published in StatesmanJournal on July 18, 2012

Judith May Miettunen Repplinger

Judith May (Miettunen) Repplinger Repplinger, age 72, born May 19, 1940, died July 05, 2012.

Judy was born in Oregon City to Elsie Doris Robarts and Ray A. Miettunen, the second of three children.

She grew up in the small community of Yoder, Ore., and graduated from Molalla High School in 1958, followed by a degree from Willamette University in 1962. A few of her noted jobs were as an art teacher, farm-wife and postal clerk.

She was married to Donald Repplinger from 1962-2009.

Judy loved to try new things and she genuinely loved people, regularly opening her heart and home to others. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and friend. She is survived by her children, Laurie (Repplinger) and Roy Widing, Victoria (Repplinger) and Urs Baltensperger, John and Connie (Hatcher) Repplinger, Linda Repplinger and Ken Labor; as well as two sisters, Muriel van Veen and Nancy Dilger; and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service for the celebration of Judy's life will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 311 Southeast Schley Street, Sheridan, OR 97378, on Thursday, July 26, at 11 a.m. with a reception following. Pastor Fred Storteboom will conduct the service.

Judy's remains will be laid to rest with her parents and extended family at Smyrna Church Cemetery in Yoder.

Reprinted from The Oregonian, printed on July 17, 2012