Judith Engelman was born in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 11, 1940. She was the first child of Arthur and Vendla Engelman. In 1941, the family was living in San Francisco, where two of Judith’s sisters, Marcia and Lollie, were born. As her father did not want his children to grow up influenced by the manners of city youth, the family moved north. Arthur and Vendla purchased a house on Pesula road, in the Burlington area near Weott in Humboldt County. Judith attended Agnes Johnson School in the “old school house.” She also attended South Fork High school in Miranda, where she learned to play the clarinet.

In 1956 she married Kenneth Wayne Mensing, and their first child, Kirk Vaughn Mensing, was born in 1957.

In 1958 the family moved to Stockton because Ken had acquired a Laborer’s Union job in billposting. Their second son, Dale Kenneth Mensing was born in 1958. By 1960, Judith had three additional siblings: Allan, Phillip and Iris.

Judith was always active in her sons’ school functions. She was a very active participant in PTA. She was always proud that she helped initiate and led the effort to create Gianoni park in the Waterloo area of Stockton. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and an avid supporter of her sons’ participation in little league baseball and marching band functions. She was exemplary in every way.

In 1972, she chose to receive Jesus Christ as her savior and she became a very active participant in church functions. She was a leader in “Junior Church” and she was a “Bus Captain.”

In Stockton, she had a variety of successive jobs. She worked for Atwood Printing, Stockton Wholesale Distributors and the San Joaquin County Recorder-County Clerk’s office. She was an “Avon Lady” and a World Book Encyclopedia sales representative. She became a District Manager for Field Enterprises, which owned World Book.

In 1972, the family moved eight miles north to Lodi, and “Judy” became Stockton’s first female UPS driver. In 1977 she moved to Montrose, Colorado, where she became a school bus driver in the Rocky Mountains. She then moved to Occoquan, Virginia where she was employed in child care.

In 1979, she returned to Stockton and became interested in pre-school education. She began working as an aid-instructor at Stockton KinderCare Preschool while she studied for and received her associates degree from Delta College.

In 1983, “Judy” began parenting her grandson, Kenneth Michael Mensing and moved back to Humboldt County to help take care of her mother in Redway. For several years she was the assistant director of Greenhouse Preschool in Garberville.

After the passing of her former husband, Kenneth, in 1986, She moved to Myers Flat and married Brian Bell, who drove the Medical Courier van for Redwoods Rural Health Center. Brian Bell passed away in 1987.

Judith then became a teacher for Head Start, where she met and helped many families in the Southern Humboldt area. In 1993, the Humboldt County Child Care Council awarded her their annual “Humboldt County Friend of Children” award.

In 1996 she married a High School friend, Kenneth Whitlow, and moved to Eureka. Kenneth Whitlow passed away in 1999. After retirement, she became a resident at the Cedar Street Senior Community in Garberville.

Judith was always proud of her Humboldt County roots. As long as she was able to swim, she would swim in the Eel River — preferably in the Burlington area where she swam as a youth. She loved hiking and fishing. She loved backpacking the high Sierra Nevada Mountains, the King Range, the Marble Mountains and the Trinity Alps. While living in Garberville, Judith became an avid supporter of the local womens’ softball league. She was very proud of the plaque she received designating her as the league’s “Number One Fan.” Judith was an avid fan of the Oakland Raiders. She loved to watch football and baseball.

Judith was known to be a regular volunteer in fundraising for her beloved KMUD radio.

Judith saw the need for educational toys that could be lent to Head Start families. So, she applied for and received a State grant of $5,000.00 for that purpose. She often said that her “Dad” gave her the example that she followed — being willing to accept and face challenges with determination and a positive attitude.

She found great joy in being a mother and a grandmother. She had four grandsons — Kenny, Jake, Abe and Alex — who were always shown her deepest love. She loved life. She loved her community, and she made many dear and abiding friendships.

May her memory be a joy and inspiration to all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life Gathering and Service will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 2 p.m. at the Miranda Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 6626 Avenue of the Giants in Miranda. Please bring photos and memories to share. There will be refreshments and fellowship following the celebration service.

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