Judith Blakeman

Judith Blakeman age 75 of Broken Bow, NE passed away July 12, 2022, at the Arbor Care Center in Ord, NE.

Funeral services will be Monday, July 18, 2022, at 10:30 am at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow, with Pastor John Parsons officiating. Burial will be in the Broken Bow Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. A visitation will take place on Sunday, July 17, 2022, from 1:00 to 6:00 pm with family greeting 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Govier Brothers Mortuary in Broken Bow. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.

Judy was born November 13, 1946, in Alliance, NE to Laurence & Margaret Richards Caldwell.   The family moved to Broken Bow later where she grew up and graduated high school in Broken Bow in 1964. Judy attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Music Education in 1968.  Judy was united in marriage to Robert (Bob) Blakeman on July 26, 1968, in Broken Bow.  To this union two children were born, James (Jim) and Tonia. Bob and Judy moved to the North Platte area where Judy began her first job at Sutherland Public Schools teaching music in 1968.  The couple moved back to the Broken Bow area where she taught for Anselmo-Merna Public School for 28 years teaching music and later on Spanish. Judy went back to college obtaining her Master of Arts in Education degree from Kearney State College.in 1988. 

Judy had a love for teaching and furthering herself in learning new things.  While at Anselmo-Merna, she was offered a job in teaching Spanish. She took on this added position as a challenge and enjoyed it. 

Judy spent many summers in Mexico or Spain either furthering her education or taking a group of high school students on an educational outing. She enjoyed these trips each year with her students and had a love for the Mexican/Spanish culture. Judy was one of the leaders in starting the long-distance learning program while at Anselmo Merna.  She taught Spanish for several years thru this system to aid in the need for the Spanish requirement in the area smaller schools. In 2001, she accepted a position teaching Spanish at Lexington Public School and retired from teaching in 2009. Judy continued to substitute teach at area schools for many years, along with helping her husband Bob with the books at “Bob’s  Truck Repair” south of Broken Bow.  

Judy had a passion for teaching.  Her smile was contagious, and she had a love for music, her grandchildren, and going on trips with her family.

Judy is survived by her husband, Bob of Broken Bow, children; James (Karen) Blakeman of Eaton, CO, Tonia (Dan) Konwinski of Silver Creek, NE, Six Grandchildren: Michael, Jamie, Brianna, Karly, Tyler and Alexander, Sister Dorothy (Don) Johnson of Surprise, AZ, brother Larry Caldwell, and many nieces and nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Laurence & Margaret Caldwell, sister-in-law Lily Caldwell.