Obituary of Judith Elizabeth Kocks

Judith Elizabeth Kocks

1943 - 2023

It is with sad but grateful hearts we celebrate the life of our dear Mom, Oma, and Auntie, Judith Elizabeth Kocks, who passed away on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at the age of 80 years. Mom was predeceased by her parents William and Caroline Niebergall; her husband Günter; her sister-in-law Vivian Niebergall; and her grand-niece Jorja who shared her birthday. Mom leaves to cherish her memory her daughter Jodi Kalaitzakis (Bob); grandson Zach Kalaitzakis; brother Monty Niebergall; niece Sarah Niebergall (Logan) and their children Mahlyn, Sawyer and Stetsyn; numerous cousins and friends.

Mom was born on February 5, 1943, and raised in Neudorf, SK. She moved to Regina in 1960 to attend Teachers’ College. Mom loved being an educator, and Grade 2 was her favorite year to teach. She took a brief break from teaching to stay at home after her daughter Jodi was born. In 1984 Mom herself went back to school to complete her Education Degree at the University of Regina, graduating with Great Distinction. In 1987 she met her second husband, Günter, and they had a fairy-tale wedding in Vienna, Austria on August 5, 1989. Mom continued teaching until her well-earned retirement in 2001. But retirement didn’t slow her down one bit. She and Günter loved to travel and became certified travel agents together. They were very fortunate to enjoy many wonderful vacations in their retirement years with cousins Dave and Sharon Stewart, reaching all corners of the globe.

Mom loved all kinds of music: classical, jazz, pop, and country. She was an accomplished classical pianist, and any time she was within earshot of a song she couldn’t resist to tap her foot and move her hand. Mom was involved in the Junior Service League, the Regina Multicultural Council, and the German Club. She was an enthusiastic gardener and had the most stunning summer flowers. Mom loved books, magazines, fashion, shoes, interior design, flower arranging, entertaining and hosting, the British Royal family, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and fast cars. She was elegant, beautiful, charismatic, always running a little bit late, and very much a night owl. Above all, the colors pink and purple were delightfully and purposely woven throughout her entire life.

Mom adored the younger generations, and her favorite person was her grandson Zach. She attended many of Zach’s school events and activities, and proudly displayed his pictures all over her house. Mom was close to her niece and fellow night owl Sarah, and her younger cousins Jay Stewart and Karen Adolf.

Our family would like to thank Cristina, Alida and Kay at J and C Personal Care Home for giving Mom a wonderful and supportive home this past year. We would also like to thank the doctors and nurses in the General Hospital Emergency Department and the Pasqua Hospital Palliative Care Unit for their compassionate care in Mom’s final days.

The service to celebrate Mom’s life will be on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 2:00 pm at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3510 Queen Street, Regina, SK.