Judith Kay Coltrain

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our mother, Judith Kay (Hartung) Coltrain on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines after a short illness.  A funeral service will be held at Sunset Memorial Chapel (7601 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321) on Saturday, January 10^th, 2026, with visitation starting at 10 am followed by a funeral service at 11 am.  Burial will take place in Sunset Memorial Gardens, following the burial, all are welcomed back into the chapel for a luncheon.

Judy was born in Austin, Texas on June 6,1947 to her parents Louis and Mazie Hartung. She grew up in Austin with her mother and her two brothers after the untimely early death of her Father when she was 5 years old. She had an accident at the age of 12 when a swing set flipped on her and nearly took her life. She had multiple surgeries to repair the damage to her nose. Judy was a tough girl though and conquered anything in her path. She often told stories of running the boys off with a broom when they were picking on her brother.

When Judy was 16 years old, she met the man she would marry at a skating rink in Austin. Judy and Howard Coltrain were united in marriage on June 7th, 1964, at her family home with both their parents in attendance. They would soon move to Iowa where her husband's family was from. To this union they would add five children.

Judy was a homemaker and a good cook and could make do with little ingredients. She loved her family and would do anything she could to help her family, friends and neighbors.

Judy was the devoted mother of Donna (Nick) Henson, Jerry (Missy Atchison) Coltrain, Lynn (Tammy) Coltrain, Lorie (Dennis Flora) Coltrain, Barbara (Jeff) Baker. She was the beloved grandmother of Heather, Amanda, Katelyn, Ashley, Nathan, Jennifer, Jessica, Kristina, Brittany, Grant, Emily, Caleb, D’llyn. She was also a proud great grandmother of 22 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her two beloved brothers Harold (Sandra) Hartung and Kurt Hartung of Texas. She is also survived by many members of the Coltrain side of her family who loved her very much.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Howard Coltrain in 2024, her parents Louis and Mazie Hartung, her brothers Jim and Woodrow Hartung, her sister Marie Morris, her sisters in law Elaine Hartung, Evelyn Hartung, Joey Hartung, Norma Coltrain, Fran Coltrain and Lois Bubenyak and brothers in law Dean Coltrain and Jerry Bubenyak.

Judy was a daughter of the Republic of Texas through her ancestry and was proud of her Texas heritage.

She will be fondly remembered for her love and generosity and missed by all.