Judith June Lovrien

Judith June (Goreham) Lovrien was born June 12, 1959, in Carroll, IA, to Raymond and Alice (Roth) Goreham. She grew up in Carroll, IA, graduating from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1977. Judy attended Iowa State University in Ames, IA, from 1977 until 1979, when she transferred to the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA. She graduated in December 1981 with a degree in elementary and special education. Judy taught special education in Northfield, MN, beginning in 1982 through 1992. She was a strong and vocal advocate for her students, their families, and the resources that could improve their education and lives. Outside the classroom, Judy loved coaching Special Olympics. While in Northfield, Judy met the love of her life, Marty Lovrien. They were married October 19, 1991, at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Northfield, MN. In 1992, Judy and Marty moved to Alexandria, MN, to start their family. They have three children, Katie, Jimmy and Patrick. In Alexandria, Judy embraced the mission of Early Childhood Family Education, volunteering many hours and working as a parent education facilitator. Judy loved to volunteer at St. Mary’s School. She served on the St. Mary’s School Board and very much enjoyed her work as a paraprofessional there. Family was Judy’s most important priority. She loved getting together with her large family for weddings, holidays, and other celebrations. Judy’s greatest joy in life was being a mother. Judy felt passionately that her purpose in life was to give her children guidance to be the best they could be, to teach strong moral values by example, to react to life and its challenges positively, and to be kind and respectful to every person. Judy was a cheerful, funny, unpretentious woman who treated all people with dignity and respect. Through her many health challenges in recent years, Judy always remained positive and faced these challenges with optimism and grace. On Wednesday, December 24, 2014, at the age of 55, while surrounded by her family, Judy passed away unexpectedly following a successful liver transplant. She is survived by her loving husband, Marty; children, Katie, 22, Jimmy, 19, and Patrick, 15; siblings Linda (Robert) Beeson – Riverside, IA; Dian (Stanley) Slaven – Portsmouth, IA; Michael (Debra) Goreham – Manhattan, KS; Paula (Mark) McCrea – Carroll, IA; Leonard (Bonnie) Goreham – Clare, IA; Angela (Shawn) Weck – Peoria, IL; Amy Goreham – Des Moines, IA, and David (Kelly) Goreham – Denver, IA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Alice Goreham, twin sisters, Mary and Ann, and brothers, Raymond and Dean. Visitation will be held Friday, January 9, 2015 from 4:00 to 7:00pm followed by a prayer service beginning at 7:00pm at St Mary’s Church, Alexandria, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 10, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Reverend Steve Binsfeld will officiate. Memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s School and Gift of Life Transplant House 705 Second Street SW Rochester, MN 55902.

Judith June Lovrien

June 12, 1959 - December 24, 2014