Judith A. Reynolds, age 82 of Winston

Judith Ann Reynolds went to Heaven to sing with the angels on August 22^st, 2024. Although she is in the arms of her Savior, Jesus, her family and friends mourn the loss of one heck of a woman.

Judi was born on March 17^th, 1942, to Reed and Lorraine Mathews in Helena, Montana. Judi hailed from the Sixth Ward, the harder side of Helena, but oh boy was she proud of where she came from. She grew up tough, often walking the streets of Helena barefoot in the dead of winter. Judi frequently shared stories about growing up with her three siblings, Patricia, Karen, and Johnny. Though she came from humble beginnings, Judi and all three of her siblings went on to lead respectable and successful lives.

In 1960, Judi married George Kugler. Three children—Kimberlee Karen, Kelly George, and Kurtis Mathew—were born of that marriage. Judi married Lee Reynolds in 1988. Lee and Judi built a life together, running Mobile City in Helena for several years. Judi was a landlord, but she is perhaps better known for dropping off meals with elderly residents and picking up lifelong friends that lived in the mobile home park. Lee and Judi built a home in Winston, Montana on a piece of land that will forever be known as “The Ranch.” One of Judi’s finest joys in life was running cattle on the ranch; she even slept in her truck during calving season, just as any dedicated cow midwife would do. Judi and long-time friend Chic Smith once saved a premature calf in the middle of winter with the help of bottom shelf R&R whiskey. The facts remain inconclusive as to whether the calf or Judi and Chic drank the whiskey. Nevertheless, the calf survived thanks to the help of the two devoted cowgirls.

Judi lived in Helena her whole life, traveling often to see her daughter Kim (whom she affectionately called, “sister”) and her five grandchildren in Nevada and Colorado. Although no one ever accused Judi of having a great sense of direction, she made up for it with her sense of humor. It was normal for Judi to show up to family gatherings with gag gifts like candy cigarettes for the kids or a whole gorilla suit. She had a belly laugh that was infectious, more old-fashioned sayings than she knew what to do with, and more creativity in her mind than a person has a right to. She was an ardent abstainer of texting, and she could be hard to reach at times. However, what she lacked in technology skills she made up for in spunk and moxie. Judi was revered as a wheeler and dealer at garage sales and pawn shops alike. For over 60 years, Judi would load up in the wee hours of the morning with her two best friends Fee and Ginny, and off the girls would go looking for deals at local garage sales. Judi had the great honor of walking through life with her two best friends, Fee and Ginny, for 72 years.

In her heart was a special love for drifters, underdogs, and people with hard luck stories. Some of her closest friends were homeless and rough around the edges, but no doubt, they held a special place in her heart. She had a knack for making people who are often forgotten feel cared for and seen. Friends would come out of the woodwork just to drop in and say hello. Judi had a heart for service, but few people knew how much she truly did for others. She cared for countless elderly friends by bringing them meals and sitting with the sick and lonely. She was fiercely loyal. She had one heck of a backbone. She was a bona fide country music critic. Her vocabulary was expansive. She made the finest carrot cakes and pies, though she would never admit they turned out delicious. She never took off her turquoise, and she never lost her love for loud music and dancing.

Children of all ages adored Judi, and for good reason. Even at 82, she was starting snowball fights and having pretend shootouts with her great grandchildren. On the Fourth of July, Judi always arrived with loads of fireworks, and she instilled in her four grandsons a love of explosions and four wheelers that, for better or for worse, lives on to this day.

“I was born 100 years too late” were words often spoken by Judi. Her home donned old saddles hanging from rafters, worn out cowboy hats on hooks, and Native American art on almost every wall. She had an affinity for Elko, Nevada, all things western, and cowboy poetry. Had she the opportunity to elect a president, it would have been John Wayne. Years ago, Judi was said to have marched out of a movie theater while watching The Shootist when she caught wind that her beloved John Wayne’s character was about to die. She is quoted saying, “I’m not gonna stick around and watch John Wayne die!”

Judi is survived by her three children, Kimberlee Perry (Darcy Perry), Kelly Kugler (Harmony Kugler), Kurtis Kugler (Naomi Kugler); six grandchildren, Ricky Perry (Sunny Perry), Kurtis Perry (Marilena Perry), Randy Perry, Dani Nix (Landon Nix), Kace Perry (Margaret Perry), and Coley Kugler; and eight great grandchildren (Kaila Perry, Talon Perry, Jayden Perry, Kallisto Perry, Waylon Nix, Ruby Nix, Harper Perry, and Nash Perry). Judi is also survived by her two sisters, Patricia Lamb and Karen Screnar. She leaves behind her beloved dog, Rusty, and countless friends, too many to mention. Judi is preceded in death by her husband Lee Reynolds, parents Reed and Lorraine Mathews, and brother Johnny Mathews. Plans are pending for a farewell party.

Judi never really slowed down. Afterall, you can’t keep a good woman down. However, her last years were wrought with debilitating arthritis pain among a host of other heartaches and body aches. Although her passing seems untimely to those who loved her, there is comfort in knowing that Judi has now put on the imperishable and her death is swallowed up in victory. It is only right for God’s word to have the last word: “Oh death, where is your victory, oh death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15: 55-57).

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Trailhead Church in Townsend.  A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

11:00 a.m.

Saturday September 28, 2024

Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church

20 Trailhead View Dr

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Reception

Following the Memorial Service

Saturday September 28, 2024

Trailhead Christian Fellowship Church

20 Trailhead View Dr

Townsend, Montana 59644

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