Judith Bennett Eilertsen

Judith Bennett Eilertsen, 93, of Spring Park, Minnesota, died on October 11, 2021. Born in Scobey, Montana, near her father’s wheat ranch, she carried the happy memories of summers on Rock Creek in Deer Lodge along with the mountains, rushing waters and wheatfields of Montana throughout her life.

Judy moved from Montana to Oregon to the East Coast to Minnesota and beyond with grace and determination, always ready for a new adventure. Dancer, actress and spiritual seeker, she was swept off her feet when she met the love of her life, Edwin J. Eilertsen. She attended Bard College, Connecticut College and the University of Minnesota before marrying Ed and starting a family.

A full and equal partner in Ed’s ministry from Emmanuel in Alexandria through St. Martin’s-by-the-Lake, Minnetonka, and many other parishes, Judy volunteered for anything and everything without being asked. A crisis in the life of a parishioner was addressed with the cure for all: food. Thus, hers was lovingly known as “Judy’s fudge and Spanish soup ministry.”  

After their third daughter, Betsy, was diagnosed as severely mentally challenged, Judy became an early and tireless advocate for the importance of bringing mentally challenged people into the community. With a small group of dedicated leaders, she founded the Episcopal Group Homes and served on the board from 1977-2017. In the last years of her life at Lake Minnetonka Shores Home, she loved reading to the children in the Koala Bears Day Care.  

  
Judy was the source of strength, warmth, encouragement and unconditional love for her three children, Susan, Kathy and Betsy and for her beloved three grandchildren, Twyla, Sarah and Nicholas. None of her early passion was lost on her new life as a minister’s wife, mother and outspoken advocate for social justice and the disenfranchised. Love, compassion and kindness, along with healthy doses of theatricality, humor and a will of steel infused her time on this earth and touched her dear friends and all who knew her.

Preceded in death by her husband Edwin, parents, James and Isetta Bennett and adoring older brothers Peyton, Gordon and James Bennett. Survived by daughters Susan Eilertsen (Sam Worthing), Kathy Eilertsen (Michael Muscardini) and Elizabeth “Betsy” Eilertsen; grandchildren Twyla Ruby and Sarah and Nicholas Weiss.

A memorial service will be held at a later date and will be posted in the Star Tribune.

Memorials preferred to Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, the Episcopal Group Homes and St. Martin’s by-the-Lake Episcopal Church.

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