Judith Wells Ostrander

Judith Ostrander, 86, of Shepherdsville, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2024. She is survived by her daughters Becky Payne (John) and Suzanne Ostrander, grandchildren Samantha Nedic (Boris) and Bryan Payne, great-granddaughter Amelia Nedic, and dear sister Frances Alexander (Albert). She was predeceased by her husband Wayne Ostrander, parents Lawrence and Ruba Wells, and brother Howard Wells.

Judith was born in Summer Shade, Kentucky, and grew up near her large extended family, with siblings and cousins that became her life-long friends. She went to college at Lindsey Wilson College, where she was editor of the school newspaper, then went on to attend Western Kentucky University. While at WKU, she met a handsome young Army man named Wayne; their brief courtship led to more than 60 years of love and adventure. While Wayne was stationed at Fort Campbell, Judy taught students in a one-room school near Clarksville, Tennessee; she proudly talked about this for the remainder of her life, and she certainly had a lasting impact on the students she taught there. 

Upon Wayne’s military discharge, they moved across the country to his home state of Washington, where they started their family. Ultimately Judy’s homesickness won out, and they returned to Kentucky, settling in Louisville, where they lived for the next 30 years. She was a selfless wife and homemaker, waking well before dawn daily to prepare Wayne’s breakfasts and bagged lunches, carting the kids to extracurricular activities, preparing every family meal, and sewing many of her daughters’ clothes. For several years, she taught stenography part-time in the evenings; while she was out of the house, the family would run amok. She was the (mighty) force that kept them all grounded, and this role persisted throughout her lifetime. 

With Wayne’s retirement and their empty nest, they moved to Shepherdsville, where they enjoyed being part of the community. From there, they went on numerous road trips - camping at Barren River Lake, Christmas tree shopping in the mountains of North Carolina, visiting the Amish countryside of Ohio - where she enjoyed the beauty of nature. An appreciation of beautiful things was at her core; she loved the beauty of flowers, jewelry, and decorative objects. She was an avid reader, particularly enjoying cookbooks and books about homesteading and the South. 

Judy enjoyed learning about people’s backgrounds and connections. It was this curiosity that led to her connection to Wayne, when she asked him about his life in Washington. Until her final days, she maintained a remarkable knowledge of the relationships of the people that she knew.

Judy’s most beloved role was as “Mimi” to her grandchildren, Samantha and Bryan. She delighted in doting on them and nurturing them. She was proud to see Samantha’s marriage to Boris, and to celebrate Bryan’s graduation from college. More recently, she was overjoyed with the birth of her great-granddaughter Amelia.

Visitation will be held at Maraman Billings Funeral Home in Shepherdsville on Tuesday, October 15, from 3-7:30 pm and on Wednesday, October 16, from 10-11 am. The funeral will be held at Maraman Billings Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 16 at 11 am, with burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery. 

The family wishes to thank Dr. Don Duff and the staff of Norton Audubon Hospital and Hosparus for the kind and compassionate care of their beloved mother and grandmother.