Judith Ann McElwee 82, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 19, 2022, after a short illness. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Taylor House in Des Moines, Iowa. Judy was a faithful Christian who loved God and her family. She found joy and purpose in giving to others.

Judy was born on April 16, 1940, in Des Moines, Iowa to Earl and Etta Bown. She grew up on the east side of Des Moines two blocks from the Iowa State Fair. She was a graduate of East High School in 1958. Judy lived in Carlisle for 25 years where she raised her family of four girls.

Judy's favorite time in life was growing up at Rising Sun Church of Christ in Pleasant Hill where she was a member for over 70 years. Judy would have no greater joy than knowing her children and grandchildren would have a relationship with the Lord. Judy was employed by EDS (Electronic Data Systems), Younkers, and Meredith. Judy enjoyed her small business with her best friends selling tater bakers. She also took great pride in finding recipes to cook and bake for others.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Marilyn (Jim) Duke, Carolyn (Phil) McElwee, and Kenny Bown, former husband Art McElwee, granddaughter (Molly Grace).

Left to cherish Judy's memories are her children, Kim (KC) O'Neill of Ankeny, Laurie McElwee of Connecticut, Lisa (Gary) McAninch of Norwalk, Kristen (Gary) Steele of Oklahoma, and a bonus daughter Laura (Dave) Armantrout, grandchildren, Josh (April) Furnal, Megan (Dustin) Van de Weerd, Andrew (Jennifer) Furnal, Logan (Kaitlyn) Volrath, and bonus grandchildren Matt Steele, Nicole (Jeremy) Poole, bonus great­ grandchildren, Dominic and Dilana Sears, Brieanna and Braden Baker, sister-in-law JoAnn Bown

A memorial service will be held at Rising Sun Church of Christ at 6390 NE Rising Sun Drive in Pleasant Hill, Iowa on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 10:00 am.

Visitation will be Sunday April 24, 2022 from 4-6 pm at Iles Grandview Park Funeral Home at 3211 Hubbell Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317. The service will be available to view on the Rising Sun Church website.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO. online condolences at www.ilescares.com