Judy Lynn Van Dam, 57, of Montrose, lost her short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on April 15, 2016 at Avera McKennan Hospital. Funeral mass was held on Friday, April 22, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Montrose. On-line condolences may be left at Kinzley Funeral Home.

Judy Shefte was born August 18, 1958 to Kenneth and Delores (Quam) Shefte in Dell Rapids, SD. She grew up on a farm near Dell Rapids and moved to town where she worked with her family at the Shefte Cafe in Junior High. She attended and graduated from Dell Rapids Public School.

On June 16, 1978, Judy married her best friend Floyde Van Dam in Dell Rapids. Floyde and Judy were blessed with two daughters and nearly 38 years of marriage. She was employed at Canistota Good Samaritan for the last 14 years as of April 8, 2016.

Judy is known for her caring heart, kindness and patience. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and St. Patrick’s Altar Society, where she served as Vice President and currently President. She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, sewing, and doing crafts. Judy also loved spending time with her 3 grandsons outside, in the garden, and baking.

She is survived by: her husband, Floyde of Montrose; two daughters, Jill (Dan) McMurtrey of Winner and Stacy Van Dam of Overland Park, KS; three grandchildren, Hayden, Clay, and Ethan McMurtrey; mother, Delores Shefte of Dell Rapids; brothers and sisters, Karen (Dean) Skatvold, Bonnie Ahlers, Gail (Mark) Gannon, Jean (Mike) Bauman, Stuart (Kim) Shefte, and Kevin (Laura) Shefte; mother-in-law, JoAnn Van Dam; and 20 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Shefte, brother-in-law, Frank Ahlers, father-in-law, Nick Van Dam, and several aunts and uncles. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer to make a contribution in memory of Judy to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to assist other families facing this devastating disease