Judy Kay Porch was born May 22, 1941, in Gordon, Nebraska, to Fred and Josephine (Petrik) Williams. Judy shared her birthday with twin sister Joyce Franzen. Older sister Iris McCue was delighted to have two babies to play with instead of just one.
Judy grew up on a farm northeast of Martin, South Dakota, and attended the Three Stars Country School through 6th grade. Everyday her family milked 25-30 cows. Her dad, Fred passed away in 1958 and the family moved to Martin. She attended Martin Grade School and graduated from Bennett County High School in 1959. Judy was homecoming queen and Miss Martin, her Senior year. She then competed in the 1959 Miss South Dakota Pageant in Hot Springs.
In January of 1960, she married William (Billy) Porch and they set up the Equal X Ranch & Farm north of Martin. In a short time, 5 children joined the family, Shelly, Kathy, Janelle, Todd and Deanna. Judy kept busy raising kids, gardening, and tending to everyday farming and ranching needs. She worked in the office at the Bennett County Coop, and in 1962 became the office manager at the sale barn.
In 1983, Judy and Billy built a new Sale Barn with the help of family, friends and community members, their first sale was October 17 1953. She was noted for her expertise to organize and plan meals for the Cafe` (Judy’s Diner) and her ability to find the last penny in a bookkeeping error. She took pride in accuracy and neatness in everything she did. She was famous for her angel food cake, coffee cake and homemade dill pickles. No one ever went hungry whether it be workers in the field or customers and friends in her restaurant.
Judy loved her family, taking her own kids to many rodeos, attending many sporting events and continuing to support her grandchildren and great grandchildren in whatever they did. She was always proud of her family and their accomplishments.
Judy was a lifelong member of Our Lady of the Sacred heart Catholic Church/altar Society, SD Stockgrowers Assn, R-Calf, Casey Tibbs Foundation, Martin Community Foundation Board and a Saddle Sponsor for the SD High School Girls breakaway Roping Champion.
Judy is survived by her husband of 64 years Billy, children Shelly (Brad), Kathy (Marvin), Janelle, Todd (Julie), Deanna (Darin), 14 grandchildren, Tracey, Lisa, Shawna, Amy, Joey, Cooper, Jacob, Jessica, Kayla, Laura, Wade, Wyatt, Alaina, Emily & 29 great grandchildren and twin sister Joyce Franzen.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents John & Mary Petrik, parents Fred & Josephine Williams, sister Iris McCue, son-in-law Jeffrey Waln and brother-in-law Bill Franzen.
A Vigil service will be held Monday July 22, 2024, 7:00pm at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Martin, SD. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 10:30 AM, with burial to follow in the Martin Catholic Cemetery. A memorial has been established and donations may be sent to Security First Bank, PO Box 669, Martin, SD 57551.
Bennett County Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.