JUDITH LOUANN SYMENS
A Celebration of Live Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Sisseton, SD at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, November 18, 2022 with refreshments following. There will also be a Celebration of Life Service at the Zion Reformed Church in Amherst, SD at 2:oo P.M. on Friday, November 18, 2022 Refreshments will be served at the church following a committal service for Herman and Judy at the Amherst Cemetery.
Judith (Judy) LouAnn Symens, 80, of Sisseton, South Dakota, passed away October 28, 2022, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, surrounded by her family. Memorial services are pending. Information may be found at https://www.cahillfuneralchapel. com. Judy was born December 13, 1941 in Ledyard, Iowa, to Harold and Phyllis Herzog. She attended Ledyard Community School, graduating in 1959. She played basketball and softball, she was actively involved in the band and chorus, and she was a member of the Ledyard Methodist Church.
She attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, receiving her BS Degree in 1963 with a major in elementary education. Judy kept very busy in college, serving on the student council, she was a member of choir and band, yearbook editor, and gospel team member. One of the highlights of her college days was a choir trip to Radio City Music Hall in New York City where they recorded a song.
On June 14, 1963, Judy married Herman Arthur Symens and they were blessed with four children. Herman and Judy built their life together as a team, raising Limousin cattle on the farm in Amherst and later at Symens Hills Ranch near Sisseton. They also owned and operated Limi-Gene, a Limousin semen distribution company. Judy was a major part in the company; helping take orders, talking to customers, and keeping records.
Judy was very active in the Limousin breed, serving as secretary of the South Dakota Limousin Association as well as helping with the junior programs. She and Herman were charter members of the Heartland Limousin Association. They were recognized as “Honorary Members” of the North American Limousin Junior Association in appreciation for their support of the juniors.
She enjoyed traveling, going on cruises, attending cattle shows and sales, putting together puzzles, taking part in activities at the First Presbyterian Church in Sisseton and the Zion Reformed Church in Amherst, and spending time with family and friends. Judy was very creative; she liked making programs for events, designing house plans, and keeping track of the history of the Limousin breed. She loved onion rings, egg rolls, and root beer floats. Judy was known for her friendly personality, she was helpful, caring, and compassionate, and she loved to visit with everyone she met. Judy was also an organ donor.
Judy is survived by her four children; James (Laura) Symens of Claresholm, Alberta, Canada, Julie Symens of Sisseton, South Dakota, Janelle (Brett) Symens of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Joel (Gerlyn) Symens of the Philippines; seven grandchildren; Leah (Justin) Hanson, Lexi (James) Bohlander, Dillon (Annalesha) Bohlander of South Dakota; Colton, Cheyenne and Colby Symens of Canada, and John Symens of the Philippines with one on the way; and one greatgrandchild, Jhett Hanson. She is also survived by two sisters; Betty (John) Kendall of Minnesota, and Nancy Herzog of Colorado, nieces Cindy (Brian Barnes) Herzog and Amy Butterfield, nephew Rodney Herzog, and many other friends and relatives.
In addition, she is also survived byin-laws;AlethaProuty, Cleo Symens, David Symens, Karen (Darrel) Jongling, Paul (Faye) Symens, Doris Armstrong, John (Shirley) Symens, Craig Schmidle. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Herman Symens in July 2022: her parents; brother, Roy Herzog and his wife Barbara of California; sistersin- law Marge Symens and Faye Schmidle; brothers-inlaw Lamoyne Prouty, Irwin Symens and Gene Armstrong.
In lieu of flowers, Judy and the family have requested that memorials be directed to the Zion Reformed Church of Amherst, First Presbyterian Church of Sisseton or the July 2023 NALJA show in Rapid City hosted by the South Dakota Limousin Association.
Condolences and memorials may be sent to Julie Symens, 45393 120th St, Sisseton, SD 57262.