ST. PAUL — Judith A. “Judy” Fager, 84, of rural St. Paul passed away at 2:23 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
Judith Ann VanLeeuwen was born on June 30, 1940, the youngest of 10 to Jacob and Bertha (Jennings) VanLeeuwen at Mercy Hospital in Parsons. She grew up and attended school in St. Paul, graduating from St. Paul High School in 1958.
On July 16, 1966, Judy married George A. Fager at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. The couple established a home and farm in rural St. Paul. Judy lovingly made a comfortable home for her family as they grew up. Once the children were out of the house, Judy began working at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center, where she worked for over 20 years.
A devout Catholic, Judy was an active member of St. Francis Catholic Church and its Altar Society. For 50 years, she was a member of the Daughters of Isabella. Her commitment to her faith included attending daily Mass. She was also very active with the Harvest House group.
Survivors include two sons, Jim Fager and his wife, Erin, of Overland Park and Stacey Fager and his wife, Jo, of Iola; a daughter, Emily Gronau and her husband, Mike, of Girard; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Fager of Traverse City, Michigan; 13 grandchildren, Lauren, Sereta, Catrina and Robert Fager, Olivia and Holden Fager, Anna, Lily and Josie Gronau, Allie, Sam, Jackie and Ben Fager; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George A. Fager, on June 21, 2012; two sons, infant Robert Eugene Fager and his twin brother, William Joseph Fager, on July 9, 2004; three brothers; and six sisters.
The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 22, at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in St. Paul. The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the church where the family will receive friends immediately following the rosary.
The family suggests memorials to Graves Memorial Library or the Osage Mission Historical Society. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
