Judith McGovern Phyfe

Judith McGovern Phyfe

Marion

Born November 5th, 1938, the first daughter of Bernard and Myrtle (Pillard) McGovern, was Judith Ann at John McDonald Hospital, Monticello, Iowa.

Judy attended Country School in rural Linn County and Graduated from Central City High School in 1956.

On August 9th, 1957, at the Federated Church in Central City, Judy married Leroy Phyfe.

To this union came a perfect baby boy on July 16th, 1959, Ricky Allen Phyfe. She said it was the best job she ever had, being his Mom. Leukemia returned Ricky to God on July 11th, 1963. Judy and LeRoy would later divorce.

In July of 1964 the role of Aunt Judy came to be, she would have 14 nieces and nephews. Traveling the state with them on little adventures, sharing little trinkets on birthdays and holidays and always sending the best cards. She then became a Great-Aunt to 24! Always drawing a crowd at family gatherings, sharing unique gifts with them. Great-Great-Aunt Judy to 24, she enjoyed these littles and took such pride as they knew who she was.

She was very proud of all her nieces and nephews, they held a very special place in her heart, she celebrated with them, worried about them, prayed for them and grieved for them, she loved the job of Aunt Judy.

She was the best sister to the siblings that followed, Gary (Connie) McGovern of Central City, Karen Wagner, Ronnie (Vicki) McGovern, Stone City, Randy (Nancy) McGovern of Central City and Kathy (Paul) Hartl of Central City.

She was the special place to visit when Karen moved out of state, and filled the role of Aunt/ Grandmother to Mikayla.

Bible Study Groups, Book Clubs, walks in parks, shopping in little towns around and midnight visits for coffee and pie at Marks Big Boy with dear friend Sue to solve all the world problems kept her busy especially in retirement.

When things were changing in her world she would be the place to visit. Visits, then treats and dinners, eventually family doing the shopping and then cooking. Family support would allow her to stay in her own home until October of 2025. She was fiercely independent.

Judy joined her son Ricky, her Parents Myrtle and Barney McGovern, a Nephew Daniel McGovern and her sister Karen Wagner in heaven, on December 28th, 2025 in Anamosa, IA.

Join us to Celebrate the wonderful life of Judith McGovern Phyfe on January 25th from 1 to 3 pm at the Central City American Legion Wapsi Post 421, 6 Central City Road, Central City, IA 52214.

Judy requested if you want to make a memorial donation to her life that it be to HACAP Food Bank, Anna Purma Ghosh Foundation, Make a Wish of Iowa or the Salvation Army.

Special thanks to Suncrest Hospice for making her care a priority and to Pinicon Place in Anamosa. Special thanks also to Right at Home who helped ensure she was not alone in her final days.

Also Surviving:

Nieces and Nephews, Peggy (Dan) Bragg, Mt. Vernon, Annette Caffrey, Central City, Kellean Nielsen, Central City, Chris (Ranae) McGovern, Central City, Jennifer (Mike) McCaleb, Mt. Juliet, TN, Matthew Wagner, Mt. Juliet, TN, Michael Wagner, Mt. Juliet, TN, Pat McGovern, Central City, John (Denise) McGovern, Central City, Jill McGovern, Central City, Lisa (Josh) Brown, Marion, Kyle McGovern, Kansas City, KS, Mikayla (Peyton) Larson, Keystone; Great-Nieces and Nephews, Great-Great-Nieces and Nephews: Krystle Bragg, Mt. Vernon (Eddison), Kassy (David) Rice. Mt. Vernon (Charlee, Caleb), Steven (Lindsey) Bragg, Mt. Vernon (Atticus, Lincoln, Emy), Ashlie Palmer, Central City (Kruze), Ethan (Destiny), Beaumont (Ava, Willow, Kade, Easton), Olivia McGovern, Iowa City, Sam McGovern, Cedar Rapids, Seth Nielsen, Marion, Samantha (Chad) Griggs, Marion, AJ Clark III, Tennessee, Jeff (Alaina) McGovern, Central City (Theo, Haven, Copeland, Baker), Aaron McGovern, Central City, Courtney McGovern, Cedar Rapids, Paige (Marcus) Hromidko, Central City, Calvin (Miranda) McGovern, Center Point (Coen, Elsie), Curtis (Ainsley) McGovern, Central City, Alec (Christine), Munier, WI (Garreth), Ellie Munier, Marion (Kadeance), Madeline (Robert) Pejchl, Monticello, Beth McGovern, Anamosa, Chole Brown, Marion, Logan Brown, Marion, Grace Larson, Keystone, and Lakyn Larson, Keystone.