Judy Ann (Nielson) Fuchs

Judy's service will be live-streamed at https://www.ourlivingwater.org/judyfuchs.html.

Judy Fuchs, 66, of Atwater, passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at her home under hospice care.  Her Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 1, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the church followed by a prayer service and Knights of Columbus rosary.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Homes.

Judy (Nielson) Fuchs was born August 3, 1959, in Willmar, Minnesota, to Merle and Hazel (Peterson) Nielson. She grew up in the Atwater area, where she received her education and graduated from Atwater High School in 1977. Judy attended Willmar Vo-Tech and earned her LPN license in 1979.

On July 2, 1977, Judy was united in marriage to Gary Fuchs at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Atwater. Four children—Theresa, Adam, Daniel, and Abbey—were born to their marriage. Throughout the years, they made their home in Plainview, Willmar, Spicer, Grove City, Atwater, International Falls, Mankato, and Hutchinson before eventually returning to Atwater.

Judy worked as a nurse at Meeker County Hospital in Litchfield and at Atwater Chiropractic. She later served as assistant manager and banquet director at the Blue Heron in Willmar, produce manager at Vern's Grocery in Atwater, assistant manager at Casey's in Atwater, and team leader at Stockman's in Hutchinson.

Judy was a former member of the Church of St. Patrick in Kandiyohi, where she was active as secretary of the Council of Catholic Women, a CCD teacher, a member of the church council, and a Eucharistic minister. She and Gary were current members of the Church of St. Mary in Willmar.

Judy was very artistic and enjoyed scrapbooking, sewing, and a variety of crafts. She also enjoyed gardening, growing both flowers and vegetables, and preserving her harvest through canning. She loved playing cards and board games and cherished time spent with family and adored her 13 grandchildren.

Judy is survived by her husband, Gary; her children, Theresa Fuchs (Jared Olson) of New London, MN, Adam (April) Fuchs of Cologne, MN, Daniel (Brittney) Fuchs of Atwater, MN, and Abbey (Matthew) Whitcomb of Lake Lillian, MN; and her grandchildren, Derrick, Trey, Kason, and Brodey Olson; Ava and Alyssa Fuchs; Kayden, Mason, Peyton, and Braxton Fuchs; and Max, Noah, and Dean Whitcomb.  She is also survived by her brothers, Wayne (Vicki) Nielson of Hutchinson, MN, and Wyman Nielson (Ellen Fromm) of Denver, CO; her sister-in-law, Mary Nielson of Elk River, MN; several cousins; many special friends, including her best friend since high school, Lynne Christensen of Atwater, MN; her fellow Gift of Life Warriors who received transplants alongside Judy; and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harlan Broers, Bob and Bernadette Fuchs, Jim Lee, and Laurie and Bill Miller.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Hazel Nielson; her brother, Wendell Nielson; and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rita Broers, Donald "Butch" Gable, Kay and Earl Eisenbacher, and Susan Lee.

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