Obituary of Judith (Judy) Ann Dover

Judith Ann Dover

1943 - 2024

Judith (Judy) Ann Dover was born 25 April 1943 in Brighton, CO, to Richard M. VonFeldt and Matilda M. Weaver VonFeldt Dreiling, who were both born in Kansas. Along with three brothers and a sister, they lived near the west side of Barr Lake east of Brighton.

Judy graduated from Brighton High School in 1961 and studied nursing at Emily Griffin Nursing School in Denver. Judy was a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for over fifteen years including Children’s Hospital, Denver. In her early 20’s, she married Clay Jones. They lived in Henderson, CO, and were blessed with three children: daughters Jackie and Sheri, and son Michael. They later divorced.

In 1976, Judy remarried to Patrick Dover, a truck driver from Indiana. In 1979, they were blessed with a daughter, Mindy. In 1984, the Dovers, with Sheri, Michael, and Mindy, moved from Colorado to Seymour, Indiana. There Judy continued her nursing work until, in 1992, the Dovers, with daughters Sheri and Mindy, moved back to Westminster, Colorado. Judy went to work as an in-home nanny for two different families. In 1993, she also began working for Lakeside Amusement Park and continued as a loyal employee until 2018. In 2006, she and Patrick moved to a townhome in Thornton, CO. Sometime after that, they separated. Judy enjoyed reading mysteries and late in life took up fishing. She was reserved until she felt comfortable and then was not afraid to share her sense of humor.

Early in life, Judy became a child of God through the sacrament of Holy Baptism and she lived treasuring His forgiveness. She was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Northglenn, CO. When she could no longer drive, she began attending Zion Lutheran Church, Brighton, CO, with her daughter Mindy Gruesner and Mindy’s family.

After some time in Brookdale Assisted Living, Brighton, CO, and a stay at a small care home in Brighton, Judy was moved to The Denver Hospice. There on the evening of 9 February 2024, at age 80, her suffering ended as Christ dispatched angels to carry her to rest and safety with Him.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Jerry and Marvin; sister, Edna Hudson; one granddaughter, Deseray Palmer, and an infant grandson, Justin Dover.

Judy is survived by her four children: Jackie Baker, Sheri Pennetta, Michael (Penny) Jones, and Mindy (Brett) Gruesner; 11 grandchildren: Joshua Dover, Cara Dover, Leann Garcia, Jocie Mann, Destinee Dover, James Jones, Jennifer Jones, Julieann Jones, Justin Jones, Aiden Gruesner, and Reece Gruesner; seven great-grandchildren; and her brother, Melvin VonFeldt of Ohio.

There will be a visitation with viewing on Thursday, 22 Feb. 2024 at 10 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 1400 Skeel St., Brighton, CO 80601, prior to the funeral at 11 a.m. Pastor David D. Schilling will officiate. Following cremation, Judy’s ashes will be privately interred at Elmwood Cemetery, Brighton, CO, as she waits with us all for Christ’s triumphant return and the resurrection with a heavenly body for all who trust in Him.

Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church https://www.zionbrighton.org/ in memory of Judy Dover or to The Denver Hospice https://thedenverhospice.org/