Judith Barthelmess

Judith Ann Barthelmess passed away peacefully in her sleep, January 6, 2026, at the age of 84 with her husband by her side. Judy was born July 2, 1941, in Missoula, MT.  Her family moved to Billings for a short time, then settled in Miles City for the remainder of her youth.  She graduated as Valedictorian from Custer County High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with honors from Montana State University in 1963.

Judy worked as a nurse at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City where she met her husband, Randall Barthelmess at a fellow colleague’s retirement tea. They married on October 4, 1963, in Maryland and lived in Washington D.C. where she was a charge nurse and a clinical nursing educator at the Washington Hospital Center.  They then moved to Billings, MT when Randall started the Ear, Nose and Throat Associates in 1969.

Judy and Randall built their family in Billings. Judy devoted her life’s work to raising her children in a cultured home where learning and curiosity flourished. A deeply creative spirit, she expressed herself through quilting, sewing, knitting and sketching the beauty of nature surrounding her. She enjoyed camping, gardening, attending theater and symphony performances and was an excellent cook.

Judy volunteered in the Billings community through Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts, Junior League, Yellowstone Valley Medical Alliance and was a docent at the Yellowstone Art Center. She was a devoted and active member of the Congregational Church where she taught Sunday school and served on the Narthex Committee for many years.

Her greatest joys in life were her children and grandchildren- playing with them, listening to their stories and watching them do the things they loved.  She cherished long walks, meaningful conversations and afternoon tea with her dear friend, Judy Clark.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Dorothy Nance and her infant sister, Susan Barbara.

Judy is survived by her husband of 62 years, Randall Barthelmess, her daughters Sarah Barthelmess, Rebecca (Lance) Egan, her grandsons, Max and Ben Egan, all of Billings, and her brother John (Judy) Nance of Phoenix, AZ.

Judy’s memorial service will be held January 19, 2026, at 11:00am at Mayflower Congregational Church.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mayflower Congregational Church, 2940 Poly Drive, Billings, MT, 59102 The service will be available via Zoom link, which can be found here: (Link to be updated at a later date).