Judith Marie Pogreba, of Hinckley, Minnesota, passed away on September 6, 2021. She was 74 years old.
Hello, my name is Andrew Karn Pogreba. Thank you for visiting and reading this story. That's me in the picture with my mother, Judith Marie, who passed away on September 6, 2021. That particular picture was taken at my sister's own celebration of life which took place just over a month ago on July 25th, 2021.
2021 has been a tough task for my family and I. My sister Jeannine (or Nene - I don't think I've ever in my life called her Jeannine except when introducing her) was so depressed in January that she took her own life at the age of 36. It took 6 months to put her to rest due to multiple extenuating circumstances, and those 6 months were extremely hard on me, but far more difficult for my mother. It is a testament to how much of a rock my father, Greg, was for her that she lived to make it to Nene's memorial at all. Losing my sister broke my mother's heart in a way I think only a mother can understand.
My mother was an endless supply of love and support. The only thing that my sister and I needed that she didn't give us as children was a stricter ruleset, because she herself went through such a terrible youth she wanted nothing more than to give her own children a happy and carefree childhood. She accomplished this in spades. My sister and I had an amazing childhood, and we were both very grateful for it. I still am.
My mother was creatively talented and resourceful in unique ways. She loved creating Christmas decorations, making clothes and costumes for my father, sister, and I, and decorating for the seasons.
My mom was a devoted and honorable wife. If she had lived 6 more days to September 12, 2021, she would have celebrated 40 years of marriage to my father. They stuck together through nothing but 'thick' - I don't know if there ever was any 'thin' for them or not. Their ability to shoulder problems as a team and keep level heads is a great inspiration for me.
The final years of my mother's life were ones of constant doctor visits, and far too many hospital visits. She had both knees replaced, heart surgery, a metal rod grafted into her humerus, and probably dozens of other various hospital visits. She was always fighting through new or old pain, and now she rests peacefully with her daughter."
Thank you for reading about my mother.
Andrew Karn
Services will be held on Tuesday, September 14 at 11:00AM at the Tatting Methven Chapel in Hinckley, Minnesota. Pastor Chris Cundiff will be officiating. Visitation at the chapel one hour prior.
