Julia Ann Sigmund

Julia Ann “Judy” Sigmund

Jesus called Judy home on August 30, 2023, after a long and arduous illness. Judy was 84 years old. She passed away peacefully in her sleep. She leaves behind her loving husband of (almost) 65 years, Jerry, her seven children and their families. The oldest of seven children, Judy was born on August 7, 1939, to Edith (Bethman) and Glennon Obrecht. She grew up in a large two-story house, which stood near the current firehouse on Elm Street in O’Fallon, with her sisters Dottie, Betty, Barb and Mary and brothers Glenn and Dave.

Judy was an excellent student and earned a full college scholarship. She attended one year at Font Bonne University in St Louis, before marrying the love of her life, Jerry Sigmund on October 4, 1958. They spent (almost) 65 years together raising their family and later enjoying their retirement in the house they built on Jerry’s family farm in St Paul. Judy was always a huge proponent of education and she taught at several area schools including St. Paul, St. Joseph, St. Barnabas, Immaculate Conception in Dardenne and Assumption in O’Fallon. She also ran Laugh and Learn Kindergarten out of the basement of her home for 13 years, where many children in the St. Paul area began their education. Judy eventually finished her own education, earning a master’s degree in education. She completed her career as the first lay principal of Assumption Grade School.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Glennon Obrecht and her brother Glenn Obrecht. She is survived by her husband Jerry Sigmund and their seven children and spouses, Jay and Kathy Sigmund, Phil and Pam Sigmund, Joan and Rick Bates, Peggy and Mike Esch, Dr. Edie and Tony Hickey, Nick and Marina Sigmund and Francie Sigmund, along with (17) grandchildren and (12) great-grandchildren who adored her.

Judy joined St. Paul Parish upon her marriage to Jerry and was a faithful member for the rest of her life. She was a sacristan, a lector, an extraordinary minister, and an early volunteer in the pro-life movement. Judy loved her family dearly and took tremendous pride in their accomplishments. Although Judy was not particularly fond of water, an understatement to be sure, she and Jerry spent many summer weekends and vacations with friends and family at the Lake of the Ozarks. She also travelled extensively with Jerry and their friends and family in her retirement years.

Judy loved a good book, so much so that she wrote her own, Dog Prairie Tales. She loved going to the “Muny” to see musicals, singing, working in her garden, Quilting, travelling, and sharing a bottle of wine with friends and family. She was a faithful Catholic throughout her life, and she passed that faith on to her children. She will be deeply missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. We will remember her for her love of the Lord, her often wry sense of humor, her devotion to Jerry, her friends and family and so many other things that will bring her to mind in our daily lives.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Birthright or the Jerome and Julia Sigmund Family Trust Scholarship at St. Paul Parish.