Judy E. (Christensen) Arrowsmith

Judy Ellen Arrowsmith, 79, of Mills, Nebraska passed away March 25, 2023, at Avera Gregory Hospital in Gregory, South Dakota. She was born on February 27, 1944 she was the eldest of four children born to John E. and Wilma E. (Utter) Christensen.
She attended elementary school in Newport, Nebraska and then graduated from Rock County High School in Bassett, Nebraska in 1962. After graduating high school, she was employed at Dr. Panzer’s Clinic in Bassett and roomed with her life-long friend Joyce Swanson who worked for Dr. Panzer as well.
Judy and Larry D. “Tony” Arrowsmith were married September 15, 1963 in Newport and then made their home at the ranch on the Niobrara River. To this union, two sons were born: Anthony E. in 1964 and Bradley A. in 1966.
Judy spent the next 30 years raising and feeding big kids, little kids, hayfield kids, cattle working kids, along with a host of machinery salesmen, as well as helping calve, fix fence, and put up hay in the summers. In 1996, Tony and Judy moved to the Hay Camp ranch where they continued their ranch life together until Tony's passing in 2008. Judy continued to be active in the ranch until declining health forced her to limit her outdoors activities.
Judy’s final years have been spent at Cherry Hills Estate in Valentine, Nebraska and the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Wilma Christensen; and husband, Larry D. “Tony” Arrowsmith. She is survived by sons, Anthony (Donna) Arrowsmith of Bellevue, Nebraska, Brad (Peggy) Arrowsmith of Valentine; siblings, Carol (Paul) Moore of Newport, Donna Putnam of York, Nebraska and Jim Christensen of Hastings, Nebraska; along with numerous grand and step-grandchildren, and one great-grandson.


A Graveside Memorial Service was held on Saturday, April 8, 2023 at the Newport Cemetery with Pastor Russ Grim officiating at the service. Memorials were suggested to the Sandhills Cancer Fund, the FFA Chapter or Volunteer Fire Department of your choice, or to the RCHS Scholarship Fund in memory of Tony and Judy Arrowsmith. Hoch Funeral Home of Bassett was in charge of the arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com .