Judy K. (Gaab) Spier

Judy K. Spier, 80 of Bismarck passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 1, 2026.  Services will be held at 10:00 AM CT, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Beulah, ND with Pastor Kathi Nygaard officiating.  Burial will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.  Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM CT at Barbot Funeral Home in Beulah. 

Judy was born in on August 9, 1945 to Julius Sr. and Kathryn Gaab.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Catholic Church in Richardton.  She was raised and educated in Richardton and attended Dickinson State College. 

On December 9, 1965 at Zion Lutheran Church in Beulah, she was married to Murel H. Spier her husband of 60 years. They have shared many years of fun, joy, memories and laughs throughout their marriage.

Judy loved her family and friends and was very proud of her children and grandchildren.  Judy had many hobbies and enjoyed many activities.  She loved reading books, playing pinochle and going to bingo. She was an avid collector of antiques and bears, she enjoyed camping, bowling, and was always willing to try anything new and challenging.   She loved to travel and explore new destinations in the U.S and overseas.  She loved ice cream as a comforting snack and a good cup of coffee with family and friends.  Judy was an excellent cook and baker with many recipes in her recipe box.  A life lesson was that you knew to stay out of her kitchen while she was cooking and baking.  Judy was well known throughout the region for making wedding and birthday cakes for over 35 years until her vision failed.  Judy was the accountant and book keeper at Spier Sales and Service.  Her cats Salem, Lucy and Houston held a special spot in her heart.

Judy was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister and aunt.  She is survived by her husband Murel Spier, son Travis Spier and wife Cari (Sioux Falls), daughter Valerie Ryberg and husband Randy (Menoken).  Grandchildren, Christian Ryberg and wife Ashley (Bismarck), Elizabeth Stansberry and husband Trevor (San Rafael, CA) Claire Kershaw and husband Carter (Menoken), Rachel Spier (Sioux Falls), Sophie Spier (Sioux Falls), Hanna Ryberg (Menoken), Lucas Ryberg (Menoken) and Great Grandson, Gunner Ryberg along with sisters-in-law, Diane and Jim Zimmerman and Dell Spier and numerous family and close friends. 

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Julius Sr. and Katie Gaab, brother, Julius Gaab Jr., father-in-law and mother-in-law Henry and Freda Spier.

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