Born on June 14, 1940 to Kenneth Erhardt and Mary Jane Tate, Judy grew up in South Bend, Indiana, where she was raised with strong Midwestern values and a love for learning. She graduated from South Bend Central High School and continued her education at Indiana University in Bloomington and Ball State University in Muncie, pursuing her goals with determination and grace.

During her college years, Judy married her neighbor, James Brenner, and together they welcomed two sons, Scott Kendall and Lance Cameron. Their marriage later ended in 1975. In 1978, Judy married Frank Robert Dietz, who lovingly survives her. The couple lived in Indianapolis for two years before making their home in Corpus Christi in 1980.

Judy embraced life near the beach, becoming an avid shell collector and a proud member of the local Shell Club. She found joy in creating arts and crafts from her treasured finds, turning simple shells into beautiful keepsakes that reflected her creativity and gentle spirit.

Around 2005, Judy began experiencing memory loss, later diagnosed as dementia. Her family walked beside her through the long, tender journey often called “the long goodbye,” supporting her with love, patience, and unwavering devotion.

Despite her challenges, Judy was blessed to spend her final years in the comfort of her own home—resting in her own bed, surrounded by familiar warmth and the people who cared for her deeply. Her quality of life was made possible by dedicated caregivers and remarkable medical technologies that helped manage her diabetes and dementia. With the assistance of her Tandem insulin pump, guided by her Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor, and the daily support of her Amazon Echo Dot, Judy’s care was thoughtfully coordinated, allowing her to remain safe, comfortable, and at peace.

She will be remembered for her love of the beach, her artistic spirit, her devotion to family, and the gentle beauty she brought into the world.