Judith Lahart

Judith Kay Lahart, 76, of Albia, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at the Monroe County Hospital. She was born on July 14, 1945, in Adel, Iowa to Lloyd and Gelene (Hartman) Hayes.

Judi grew up in Adel prior to her family moving to Des Moines in 1961. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1963 and then attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing from 1963 - 1966. After graduating, Judi began her career as an RN at Blank Children's Hospital. Later on, she worked in the Newborn Nursery at Mercy Hospital, and then for Dr. George Caudill as an office nurse for several years. From 1974-1998 Judi worked at various times as a staff RN at Monroe County Hospital and also served on the Monroe County Hospital Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1986. In 1998, Judi began working at Ottumwa Regional Hospital while attending school, graduating in 2002 with a bachelor's degree from Buena Vista in Human Services and Psychology. After graduation, Judi worked at the inpatient Sands Psychiatric Unit at Broadlawns Medical Center until her retirement in 2007.

In 1973 Judi met Pat Lahart and they married on August 3, 1974. Judi and Pat were blessed with four children: Mark Patrick, Chad Michael, Deborah Ann, and Christopher John. Judi and Pat would divorce in 1991.

Judi was passionate about volunteering in many areas. Whether it be as a hospice volunteer, church related activities, or helping children, she always gave her all. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia, and a St. Mary's Precious Blood Companion. Music was a huge influence in her life. Her motto was "Keep a Song in Your Heart." She enjoyed her Wednesday night Jams in Des Moines and loved singing and performing at the Restoration Days Follies in Albia, The Iowa State Fair, the Bob Reed Country Music Show and other venues over the years. Judi cherished spending time with family and friends and attending her grandkids' sports and activities.

She is survived by her children, Mark (Jenny) Lahart, Debbie (Brownie) Brown, Christopher Lahart; grandchildren, Avery and Aiden Lahart and Taryn and Brian Brown; two sisters, Lorraine (Steve) Hansen and Jean Hayes. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bud and Gelene McElfish, Lloyd and Edith Hayes, an infant brother, Larry Lee Hayes, a sister, Shirley (Harold) Dwinell, and son, Chad Lahart.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, April 21, 2022, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albia with Father Mark Yates, C.PP.S., officiating. Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Georgetown. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, opening to the public at 3:00 pm, with Judi's family present from 5-7 pm Wednesday evening, at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia. A Rosary will be recited by St. Mary's Altar and Rosary at 4:00 pm, and Christian Wake Service will be held at 6:30 pm Wednesday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to American Foundation of Suicide Prevention or the Monroe County Hospital Foundation. Online condolences may be left for the family at sinnottfuneralhome.com or the Sinnott Funeral Home Facebook page.