Judith Kay Barnett (Rorer) passed away at the age of 79 on Sunday, December 31, 2023, lovingly surrounded by family. Cremation has taken place. A small family memorial will take place at the Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth; a favorite for celebrating birthdays and special occasions with her dearest friends and family.
She was born on November 12, 1944, in Flint, MI to Martin and Lucille (King) Rorer. She spent much of her childhood enjoying skating at the local ice rink and going camping with family. She loved the outdoors. She often told lovely stories of her dad taking her fishing.
Judi graduated from Grand Blanc Schools in 1962. Soon after she met her husband, Jerry Barnett who graduated from Bendle in 1960; he saw her walking up to order at the Flint A & W. He was astonished by her beauty and got her number. They never parted again and were married for over sixty years. Together, they built and remodeled many homes; she had a knack for interior design and landscaping. Together, they raised four children: Shelly, David, Holly, and Laurie. They resided for many years in Hadley, and their children attended Goodrich schools. She stayed especially busy supporting them in all their endeavors, but her greatest gift was sharing her faith with them. As a young child, she had taken the bus to church where she was taught her faith by her beloved, Mrs. Rita. She often shared that love and faith with her children and grandchildren. She also had a passion for sports; she shared that she especially enjoyed her time playing volleyball as a young woman. It is evident, she instilled that passion for athletics in all her children and grandchildren.
After her children grew up, she and her husband Jerry built a lovely lake home in Hale, MI for retirement. It was her husband’s gift to her, and she continued to enjoy friends and family on the lake for many years. She loved floating on a tube or sitting on her deck taking in the views. She was a talented artist, and often painted; lovely loons, lovely water scenes, and even some of her grandchildren. Those paintings will be cherished. And oh, how she loved to dance. At every wedding, you could find her endlessly being twirled around by Jerry on the dance floor.
Judi loved her family deeply and cherished all her memories with them. It was said that she spent hours watching videos of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would smile and rewatch them again and again. She was a mother of four, a grandmother of ten, and a great-grandmother of six. She will be dearly missed.
She was survived by her husband, Jerry Barnett, her children: Shelly (Barnett) and Paul Hill, David and Kellie (Finley) Barnett, Holly (Barnett) and Ben Nordaas, Laurie (Barnett) Miller, and her grandchildren: Philip and Ashleigh Hill; Zachary and Katrina Hill; Emilie and Corey Weber and Jake Barnett; Daniel, Joshua, Jon and Luke Nordaas; Natalie and Max Miller, and her great-grandchildren: Ryleigh, Wrangler, Reagan, Harlan and Scotland Hill, and Lincoln Weber. She is also survived by her dear friend and sister, Jeannette Gatewood.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Martin and Lucille Rorer, her sister, Julie Austin, and brother Martin Rorer.
Arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch, MI. www.steuernolmclaren.com
