Judith Colleen Ellis

Judith Colleen (Schmidt) Ellis, 79, of Knoxville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Banner Desert Medical Center, in Mesa, Arizona. Judee was born on June 17, 1944, in Iowa City, Iowa, and was welcomed with love as the daughter of Robert George Schmidt and Valetta Mae (Warder) Schmidt, who preceded her in death.

Judee was a graduate of Knoxville Community High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University and Scottsdale Community College to further her education. Her career included work as a speech aide and as a coordinator of corporate and military relocations.   In retirement, Judee enjoyed traveling, spending time with her many friends in Knoxville and Apache Junction, and visits with her family.

Judee is survived by a brother, Jerry, and his partner Oliver, and by her children, Blair “Matt” Ellis, J. Robert "Bob" (Cheryl) Ellis, and Angela (Robert) Jackson. She is further survived by her grandchildren, Christina, Dominic, Riley, Jeremiah (Kayla), Logan, Isabella, and Garrett, and by a great-grandson expected in May.

In keeping with Judee’s wishes, no funeral service or visitation will be held, but she wanted to thank her many life-long friends and extended family for the joy you shared with her.  Her family will gather for a celebration of Judee’s life at a later date, and burial will follow in Asbury Cemetery.