Judy Erika Fielder, 62, of Chapman, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on September 16, 2025.
Born on November 30, 1962, in Huntington, New York, Judy was the daughter of German immigrants Helmut and Waltraud “Wally” Cordier (Holle). Following her father’s passing in 1964, Wally moved Judy and her sisters, Isabel and Elizabeth (Liz), to Dwight, Kansas, to be near family. Wally later married Emory Strauss, and together they welcomed a son, Michael. Growing up on the family’s farm in rural Junction City, Judy developed a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs, and devoted herself to caring for them through 4-H and farm work.
Judy graduated from Junction City High School in 1981, where she formed many friendships that she treasured throughout her life. She remained actively involved in organizing and attending class reunions, always cherishing the bonds she built during those years.
On August 1, 1981, Judy married her soulmate, Gradon “Grady” Fielder. They met while she worked at Food 4 Less and he delivered for PepsiCo. Their early years together were filled with trips to the lake, racing events, and gatherings with friends and family. They later welcomed two sons, Brent Lee in 1985 and Kasey Ryan in 1988. The Fielder family made their home in Chapman, spending countless weekends boating at Milford Lake, attending the boys’ sporting events, and cheering on races at local dirt tracks. Family vacations to NASCAR races and Table Rock Lake were among Judy’s favorite traditions.
The heart of their home was always “The Shop.” More than a place to work on race cars and go-carts, it became the hub for gatherings filled with laughter, good food, and Judy’s signature hospitality. She was known for making everyone feel welcome, always ready with cold drinks and homemade treats. From birthdays and graduations to holidays and her beloved annual Labor Day parties—celebrated for over 30 years—Judy’s shop events became cherished community traditions.
A gifted gardener, Judy found joy in her flowers, vegetables, and landscaping projects. Every spring, pallets of mulch and potting soil would happily consume her free time. Watering plants in the heat of the summer was her favorite pastime. Her gardens provided the ingredients for her famous salsa and zucchini bread, and she poured love into every detail of her yard.
Judy retired in April 2025 after a remarkable 37-year career with the Department of Defense at Fort Riley. She deeply valued the friendships she built with her colleagues and took pride in her work. Alongside her career, Judy dedicated over two decades to fitness instruction, beginning in 1996 as an aerobics teacher at Geary Rehab and Fitness and continuing at gyms from Fort Riley to Chapman. Her seemingly endless amount of energy and her passion for health and wellness inspired many. In recent years, she was a familiar sight speed-walking through Chapman—always with a smile, always ready to pause for a neighborly chat or deliver some fresh baked goods and salsa.
Family was Judy’s greatest joy. She adored her daughters-in-law, Lisa and Lacey, and took immense pride in her four grandchildren: Grason, Lillian, Landyn, and Wyatt. Sleepovers, shopping trips, cheering them on from the sidelines of their sporting events and enjoying pool days were the highlights of her life recently. She poured her love into every moment with them. Judy always made sure their favorite snacks were close at hand, and she could never keep a secret from them—her excitement to see her family loved and spoiled was simply too great to contain.
Judy is survived by her husband of 44 years, Grady; sons Brent (Lisa) of Liberty, Missouri, and Kasey (Lacey) of Chapman; grandchildren Grason, Lillian, Landyn, and Wyatt; siblings Isabel Schmedemann of Herington, Liz Schoenberner of Georgetown, Texas, and Mike Strauss of Junction City; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Waltraud and Helmut, and her in-laws, Bill and Shirley Fielder.
Judy’s legacy of love, kindness, hard work, and community spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 26, at 11:00 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ, with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather at “The Shop” in Chapman to honor Judy’s memory in the place she loved most. Food will be served starting at 1:30 and guests are welcome through the evening.
This fall, Judy had looked forward to beginning volunteer work at the Geary County Food Pantry. The family suggests memorial donations be directed to the food pantries serving Chapman and Junction City.
Contributions to the Chapman food pantry may be made payable to Clover Cabinet, while donations for Junction City may be made to the Geary County Food Pantry.