Agra, KS resident, Judith E. Forell, passed away Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at the Smoky Hill Health & Rehabilitation Center in Salina, KS at the age of 77.

She was born January 30, 1937 in Dresden, Kansas the daughter of Julius H. & Doris E. (Kemper) Hicks. The family moved to Wichita, KS while her father worked as a mechanic for Boeing. Her father passed away when Judy was just 13.

At the age of 16, she & Richard E. Forell eloped to Raton, New Mexico. To this union 6 children were born. They enjoyed 38 years of marriage before Richard passed away in 1991.

In 1963 the family moved to Phillips County, KS, where Judy worked as a CNA at the Phillips County Hospital and EMT in Phillipsburg. She graduated with the first EMT class in Phillips County.

Judy earned her GED in 1973, graduating with her oldest daughter, Rodeen, from Phillipsburg High School. She then graduated from Colby Community College, Norton Campus, in 1981, again with her oldest daughter, earning their LPN certificates.

Once all the children were grown, Judith & Richard moved to Ellis County where Judith worked at the Hays Medical Center in Hays. Following Richard's death, Judy moved to Dodge City to be closer to her daughters and grandchildren. While in Dodge City she worked for Western Plains Hospital and as a charge nurse at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home until her retirement.

Judy then moved to Agra to be closer to son and family. Daughter Louetta then moved in and helped care for her until she required nursing home care in 2012. Daughters Gaylin & Louetta oversaw her health care until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Jeanette Shenold; 3 brothers, Dean, William "Bill" and Alan "A.J." Hicks; and her husband, Richard.

Survivors include her son, Kurtis Forell & wife, Ann of Agra, Kansas; daughters, Rodeen Davidson of Joplin, MO, Yolanda Powell & husband, Curtis of Russell, KS, Louetta Forell of Red Cloud, NE, Kea Forell of Wichita and Gaylin Forell-Peterson of Salina; 8 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Marian Chestnutt & husband, Melvin of Ogallala, NE and Artyce Forell-Hoppe & husband, Fred of Phillipsburg, KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2014 in the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating. Burial will follow in the Marvin Cemetery, Glade, KS.

Judith will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the funeral home. The family will receive friends for visitation from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Phillips County E.M.S.