Judith "Judy" Dewitz

Judith Ann “Judy” DeWitz, 80, of Bismarck, ND, passed away peacefully on September 28th, 2025, surrounded by family.

A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Monday, October 6 at Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary’s, 825 E Broadway Ave, Bismarck, ND.

Burial will be held at the North Dakotas Veterans Cemetery.

Judy was born on March 18, 1945, in Washington, Iowa, to Robert “Vernon” and Virginia Cavan. She grew up on a farm south of Savannah, Missouri, where she was active in 4-H and developed her lifelong love of learning, service, and community.

After graduating from Savannah High School, Judy attended St. Joseph Junior College for two years before earning her degree in education from Northwest Missouri State in 1967. She began her teaching career in North Kansas City. Judy participated in the International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) program, which took her to India. While there, she met Loren, also there as an IFYE from North Dakota.

Upon returning from India, Judy taught in Essex, Iowa for a year before moving to Bismarck, to teach. Judy and Loren were married in June 1971 in Savannah, Missouri, and made their home in North Dakota, where she continued to teach intermittently in Tappen while raising their family.

Judy’s life was filled with service and leadership. She was an active member of Homemakers for many years, serving at the local, state, and national levels, including as National President. In that role, she returned to India to visit programs the organization supported and also traveled to South Africa to attend an International Women’s Conference.

She was also deeply engaged in her community and state. Judy served in Republican Party politics as District Chair for many years, sat on the NDSU Agriculture Consultation Board, the ND State Water Commission Board, and the ND Atmospheric Resource Board. She was passionate about mental health advocacy, working with the Mental Health Association of ND and the ND Protection and Advocacy Project.

Judy will be remembered for her dedication to her church, community service, and her tireless advocacy on behalf of others. Above all, she was devoted to her family, who were the joy of her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert “Vernon” and Virginia Cavan, and her sister, Deborah Brown.

Judy is survived by her husband of 54 years, Loren DeWitz; daughter Laurel (Ernie) Valentine of David City, Nebraska; son Jed (Shannon) DeWitz of Claremont, Minnesota; and nine beloved grandchildren: Morgen, Jacson, Keetyn, Brittin, Hayden, Gavin, Kyra, Carley, and Reagan.