Judith “Judy” Marie (Gustin) Smith, 78, of Lincoln, NE died Nov. 27, 2020, at Bryan West Medical Center after suffering a stroke. Judith was born Dec. 11, 1941 in Mandan, ND, the daughter of Adam and Pauline (Renner) Gustin. She was raised on the family farm south of Mandan where she attended and graduated from the local schools, then worked for the Mandan school district for 3 years. Afterwards, Judy entered Annunciation Priory where she took her vows as a novitiate. The Priory sent her to Duluth, MN to earn a bachelor's degree in biology from The College of St. Scholastica. Ultimately Judy decided not to complete her final vows at the Priory, and moved to Rapid City, SD where she taught junior high science for a year before moving to Denver, CO where she met Paul Charles Smith. Judy and Paul were married on August 21, 1971 in St. Anthony, ND. Judy devoted many years to raising her sons and caring for her family through moving to Norfolk, NE and then to Omaha, and eventually worked outside the home in clerical services at Westside Middle School. After retirement, Judy and Paul moved to Lincoln, NE to be closer to their family.

Judy enjoyed music, sewing, knitting, baking creative cakes for birthdays, and tending the library at her residence. She was dedicated to her family and took pride in her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Judy also loved caring for her plants and had a talent for making things grow.

Judy is survived by her husband, Paul Smith; her sons, Eric (Wendy) of Lincoln, NE, and Mark (Kathie) of Chaska, MN; as well as grandchildren Wish, Caleb, Sapphire, Noah, and Lucy; her sister Carol Wehri; her brothers, David (Rita) Gustin, Al (Peggy) Gustin, and Dennis (Sherry) Gustin; her sister-in-law, Pam (Ken) True; and her brothers-in-law Jerry (Lynn) Smith and Jim (Joyce) Boehm.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Adam and Pauline Gustin; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Alzadia Marie (Billesbach) McCloud and Paul Amos Smith; her sister Pat Boehm; her brother-in-law, Harvey Wehri; and her sisters-in-law, Terri Gustin and Rosemary Gustin.

Memorials may be directed to the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation in Bismarck, ND.