Judith "Judy" A. Aurand

Judith A. “Judy” Aurand, 82, passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon IL with her son and daughter by her side after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.Born on June 13, 1940 in a tenant house in rural Ashton, IL, Judy was the sixth of seven children born to Samuel and Elma (Allsup) Cultra.  Judy attended a one-room Union country schoolhouse from first through fifth grade and then a “town” school, eventually graduating from Ashton High School in 1957 at the age of 16 with 28 in her graduating class.  She was a hard worker and started at age 10 by picking asparagus, de-tasseling corn, and doing line work for Del Monte in Rochelle.  In high school Judy car-hopped with her best friend, Shirley Engelkes Frahm.  They double dated, partied and had a lot of good, wholesome “1950’s” fun with a friendship that has stood the test of time and many cocktail hours.While at a square dance in Chana with Shirley in 1957, Judy met John A. DeVries.  They were married on January 22, 1958, and her life as a farm wife began.  She worked hard farming over 1500 acres and raising 300 angus beef cows.  Their marriage produced four children that became her world.  In the late 1960’s they established DeVries Grain and Fertilizer in Byron, IL.  After a divorce in 1985, Judy happily left the farm and worked for McGregor’s Subscription and then Progressive Graphics in Oregon as an office manager.   Later, Judy became a Realtor for Century 21 and then co-founded Blackhawk Realty in the late 1980’s.  On August 20, 1993, Judy remarried to LaMonte “Butch” Aurand in Las Vegas, NV.  Butch operated heavy machinery and also attained his real estate license, so they could work as a team.  In 2003 Judy started REMAX of Rock Valley in Oregon with her daughter, Carla Benesh.  Judy won countless awards throughout her real estate career.  She was a member of the Rockford Area Realtors Association, the National Association of Realtors and the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge.  Judy was also very active in her children’s lives which included traveling across the country attending Arabian horse shows and taking flying lessons.  A proud lifetime member of the NRA, she believed in the right to bear arms and did.  After retirement Judy enjoyed swimming, traveling, target shooting, lobster and cocktails.  She adored Elvis.  Judy was very patriotic and a “regular” at the Oregon VFW.  She even made her famous potato salad for many VFW luncheons.  Judy is predeceased by her husband, parents, daughter Amy Luepkes, infant daughter Catherine Lynn DeVries, sister Ella Marie Miller, and two brothers Bill and Don Cultra.  Judy is survived by her children John (Cathy) DeVries of Madison, Mississippi and Carla (Tony) Benesh of Oregon, IL.; three sisters: Carol Link of Ottawa, IL; Mary Ellen Merritt of Towanda, IL; and Karen (Ed) Arensdorf of West Branch, Iowa; five grandsons: Bryan (Erica) DeVries; Brett (Jennifer) DeVries; Blake Benesh; David (Kimberly) Luepkes; and Austin (Anna) Luepkes; eight great-grandchildren: Caroline, Harper, Carson, Hudson, Graham, Ember, Emerson, and Autumn; and several nieces and nephews.  She was also extremely close to her cousin, Charlotte Westcott.  Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM, Monday, March 27, 2023 at the Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home, 110 S. 7^th Street Oregon, IL with the Rev. Michael Hoffman, pastor of the Oregon Church of God officiating.  Visitation will be held Sunday at the funeral home from 4-6 PM.  Burial will follow the funeral service at the Byron Cemetery.  A memorial fund is established in Judy’s name for the Serenity Hospice and Home Monarch Butterfly Release.