Judith M. (Christensen) Brase

Judith Marie Brase, 73, died Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Loving Residence.  She was born April 13, 1950, in Northfield, Minnesota, to Earl and Catherine (Tschann) Christensen.  Her family moved to Bloomington, MN where she graduated from Kennedy High School, class of 1968.  She went on to attend Winona State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and met her husband, Thomas Brase.  They were married on Oct. 22, 1976, at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church in Bloomington and they established their home in Red Wing, MN.  Jude started as a teacher in the Twin Cities for a short period of time and then moved to Red Wing where she spent the remainder of her career in education as a 4th grade teacher at Burnside Elementary in Red Wing, until her retirement in 2007.  Jude was an outstanding and caring teacher and had a positive impact on students and faculty throughout the years.  After retiring, she and Tom spent time traveling, often visiting their twin sons when they resided overseas and also to New York where they now live.  Jude had many joys in life.  She truly enjoyed being a loving and caring wife to her husband, Tom, and mother to her two sons.  She spent countless hours watching and supporting her sons at their swim meets and other activities while they were growing up and sharing in their hard work and accomplishments throughout life.  She loved spending time with her husband and siblings on scenic drives around Lake Pepin and family gatherings at Weaver Lake, playing cards with friends and hanging out with the Friday Night Crew. Jude also had a passion for shopping, especially for antiques.  Jude had a love for teaching and her students but more than anything, she loved her family—and was especially fond of her five grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas of Red Wing; 2 sons, Nicholas (Liron) Brase of Port Washington, NY and Nathan (Jane) Brase of Brooklyn, NY; 5 grandchildren, Sabine, Renen, Aviv, Jayden and Lyanna; 1 brother, Richard (Cassie) Christensen of Apple Valley; 3 sisters, Patricia (Al) Melin of Duluth, Diane (David) Miller of Bloomington and Kellie (Trish) Christensen of Maple Grove; mother-in-law, Eleanor Brase of Medford and brother-in-law, Dennis Michalak of Erie, PA and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law, Rebecca Michalak and father-in-law, Everett Brase.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 27, 2023 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Rev. William Klavetter officiating.   The visitation will be Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 4-7 p.m. at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.  Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society, Red Wing Public Schools or the River Bluff Humane Society.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com