Judy Ann Skellenger

Judy Ann was born in the small town of O’Neill, Nebraska, on January 22, 1940, to Roy and Ida Johnson.  She was the third oldest of her three siblings: her older brother, Roy, her older sister, Jan, and younger sister, Virginia (Lynnie).  She is survived by her sons, Scott and Jeff, her stepchildren, Lorra and Larry, 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Judy grew up in O’Neill and graduated from high school there.  Even at an early age, she had a high sense of fashion.  During high school, she was in a group of girls known as the “mighty 9”.  They often wore nice clothes that were all matching.  That was back in the day when movies were only a quarter, to which she often went with Lynnie.

It was in her younger years that she fell in love with dogs.  Dogs always loved her and she loved them.   Throughout her adult life, she almost always owned a dog.  They were always a part of her life.

Judy was very intelligent and was always learning.  In the late 50’s, she moved to Omaha and received an X-Ray Technology Certificate in August of 1960 from the Immanuel Deaconess Institute of Immanuel Hospital. She then worked as a radiological technician. 

Soon after that, she moved to Lincoln.  She met and married Henry Novak.  They moved to Omaha.  Then, Scott and Jeff came along.  She was very involved in their lives growing up.  Throughout those years, she did a lot to help the family income.  She switched careers to become a real estate agent and then a store owner (Spirits and Things).  The store was sold in the 1980’s, then she took a job at Physician’s Mutual.  While there, she went to college and received a Bachelor’s of General Studies degree in August of 1989.

In 1992, Judy and Henry moved to California to be close to Scott and his wife, Susan.  Judy got a job with Sacramento County.  She and Henry divorced in the mid 90’s.

Later, she met and married Neil Skellenger, who had two children, Lorra and Larry.  They lived in the country just outside Lincoln, California for many years while Neil ran his blasting business.  When she and Neil retired, they moved to Lincoln Hills.  They traveled all over the world.  They loved to go on cruises together.

She was very social and had many friends.  She loved to get together with them to play bunco and enjoy many other activities.  Shopping was another favorite pastime.  She always had a sense of fashion for not only clothes, but interior design as well.  She could have been an interior designer.

She had seen a lot of changes in life and technology over the years, but kept up with technology.  One of her favorite pastimes in her later years was to play games on her computer.  Of course, her dogs were always nearby.

She was a dear lady and will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by many who loved her.