Judith Ellen "Judy" Ellebracht

Judith (Judy) Ellen Ellebracht (Klenklen) of Independence, MO entered into Christ’s Kingdom on January 30, 2022.

As precocious a child as she would be an adult, Judy was born on December 21, 1941 in Boonville, MO with her parents and brother and sister. As the result of an adventurous childhood, Judy had no shortage of stories to tell, including breaking the same arm multiple times.

As a young woman, Judy spent time working for the Boonville Savings and Loan until a fateful encounter with a young man from Pilot Grove, MO would change her life forever. On August 29, 1964 Judy wed the love of her life Lawrence Henry Ellebracht Sr. of Pilot Grove. The couple soon moved to Independence, MO where Judy spent time working at JC Penny and the Independence Savings and Loan. Judy prided herself on always having a balanced cash-drawer, even when her coworkers did not. Her life changed yet again in the early 70’s due to the birth of their first child. They would go on to have a total of five even more precocious children.

A devoted Catholic, Wife, and Mother, Judy’s life revolved around two main factors: Faith and Family. Judy loved her family with her whole heart and it showed in how hard she worked every day to care for them. Ever involved in the goings ons of her children’s activities, it seemed Judy was always attending a PTA meeting or driving to a sporting event or Church function. She even ran the Holy Family cafeteria where all her children attended elementary school. Judy did all this while always instilling the faith and values she held so dear into her children.

Judy was always ready to pass along the stories, knowledge, and wisdom she had collected over the years. She spent 20 years working at and eventually running the Mother’s Day Out program at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Independence. She gave the same level of love and care to the many children in that program that she gave her own children and forged many strong friendships along the way.

Whether having dozens of people to her house for a holiday meal, or simply playing a spirited game of pinochle, Judy was always happiest when surrounded by the love of her family and friends. It would be unheard of to enter into Judy’s kitchen and not be offered something to eat or drink. Even if it wasn’t mealtime, there were always snacks on hand. Homemade cookies too numerous to count and any number of pies, cakes, or other delectable treat. In later years, the grandkids always knew where to find the “hidden” stash of cookies, chips, or crackers and knew they were joyfully welcome to them.

In September of 2015 Judy was diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer. Even though it had progressed and spread to most of her body, Judy (ever precocious) fought hard against and defeated the disease with the last years being cancer-free.

Shortly after celebrating her 80th birthday with her loving family, Judy fell ill. It was her wish that she be with her family until the very end after spending the day with her beloved husband, all of her children, many of her grandchildren (and even some grand-dogs) Judy entered into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Judy was preceded to the Kingdom of Heaven by her father, Francis “Frank” Edmund Klenklen, her mother, Gertrude “Gertie” Cecilia Klenklen (Gililland) and her brother, John Joseph “Johnny-Joe” Klenklen. May they all rest in peace.

Judy is survived by her, Sister Patricia “Patty” Ann Lammers (Klenklen) [Glen Lammers]

Husband, Lawrence Henry Ellebracht Sr.,

Children: Paul Francis Ellebracht [Julie Ellebracht (Deihl)], Lawrence “Larry” Henry Ellebracht Jr. [Alecia Ellebracht (Treece)], Camille Anne Holloway (Ellebracht) [James Holloway], Amy Lynne Zacharias (Ellebracht) [Jeremy Zacharias], and Alex Anthony Ellebracht [Carrie Ellebracht (Lent)].

Grandchildren: Shelby Nicole Schweppe (Ellebracht) [Corey Schweppe], Lawrence Henry Ellebracht III, Patrick Jackson Holloway, Aaron James Holloway, Alyssa Lauren Holloway, Johnathan Jens Zacharias, and Addison Anne Zacharias.

Step-Grandchildren: Mariah Deihl, Holly Jackson, Maddison (Devin) Boland, Kennedy McGinnis, and Grant McGinnis.

Step-Great Grandchildren: Jayde Nichols, Willow Brown, Jupiter Jackson, and Jameson Boland.

Services will be held on Friday, February 4th at St. John la Lande Parish in Blue Springs, MO. Visitation will begin at 9am, Rosary 10:30am, and Funeral Mass at 11am.

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. John la Lande.