Judith Hepkema Bruinsma

Born January 3, 1940, in Lakewood, Ohio, to Chris and Janet Hepkema, Judy grew up in a home marked by faith, perseverance, and love. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Speech and Hearing Pathology and later used her gifts as both a Speech and Hearing Therapist and a third-grade teacher.

On June 16, 1962, Judy married her college sweetheart, Bruce Bruinsma, in Lakewood, Ohio. Together, they built a Christ-centered marriage that lasted 63 years, marked by shared ministry, adventure, and family. Judy often said the key to a long marriage was to “survive the challenges and celebrate the joys.”

Judy poured her heart into raising her two children, Bethany Palmer of Colorado Springs and Brent Bruinsma of Ontario, California. Brent’s special needs made Judy his “safe place,” and her love, patience, and presence defined her role as his greatest advocate and source of comfort.

Her professional journey reflected her “What’s Next?” spirit. After years of teaching and serving as a homemaker, Judy worked alongside Bruce in his financial planning business. At age 59, she boldly embraced a new adventure as a flight attendant for American Airlines, a career she loved and carried with joy until her retirement in 2009.

Following retirement, Judy and Bruce pursued their shared passion for travel, exploring over 100 countries together, with special joy in visiting their ancestral homeland of the Netherlands. Judy was known for her color-coordinated attire, radiant smile, and boundless curiosity for new cultures and experiences.

Judy’s faith anchored her life, shaping her love for others and fueling her service in church, community, and beyond. She will be deeply missed by her husband Bruce, her children Bethany and Brent, her sister Gayle, extended family, friends across California, Oregon, Colorado, and around the world, and her many companions in the Cross Fellowship Church and Glen Eagles Women’s Club.

A Celebration of Life service was held in her honor on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Cross Fellowship Church, Black Forest Campus, Colorado Springs.

Judy’s legacy of faith, resilience, and love lives on in the lives she touched and in the countless memories she created with family and friends.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”