Judith Trego

Judith Trego, 73, of Moline, Illinois passed away Saturday, June 11, after a brief illness.

Judith Elaine Schrempf was born on December 15, 1948 in Moline, IL, the daughter of Fred H. and Virginia J. Greathouse Schrempf.

Judith married Albert Trego on November 27, 1970, at St. Mary’s Church, Moline. She was a long-standing member of Christ the King Church, Moline.

She is survived by her husband, Albert, daughter Elizabeth, Moline, and son Christopher, Orlando.  She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her beloved dogs Dusty, Sargeant, Beckett, Rilka, Rainer, Micah, Jenna, Hasko, Ilsa, Ryker, Xella, Jager, and Yanka who spotted her and all crossed the Rainbow Bridge together.

Judith was an excellent student in high school and had dreams of going to college and becoming a lawyer.  She instead worked as a legal secretary in order to help support her family.  She would forever think in shorthand and while some of her notes looked like gibberish to her family, to her they always made perfect sense.

After marriage Judith and Albert started their family.  Judith became a full-time wife and mother.

Judith was a wonder with numbers.  She handled all the family finances and made all the important decisions in the home.  She was genuinely the center of her family’s universe.    

An avid baker and confectioner, Judith baked cakes professionally and also opened Judy’s Candy Makings, selling candy molds and supplies.  She never stopped making candy and every holiday season would create wonderful works of candy art.

Judith especially loved the Christmas and Easter holidays.  An avid collector of Precious Moments, Jim Shore, Possible Dreams, and Hallmark, the home was always wonderfully festive and full of cheer.  Every inch on the home was decorated and she instilled that same love of the holidays in her children.

An avid reader, Judith was on a first name basis with most of the librarians and supported The Friends of the Moline Public Library; both buying and donating huge amounts of books to help fund programs and services.  

Judith was also a supporter of various charities including Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and St. Jude. 

Judith loved nature and the outdoors.  A perfect day was taking a long walk or playing tennis on a cool sunny day under a bright blue sky.  She always made sure the birds in the backyard had housing and food, the deer were fed each winter, and there were bushes to attract the butterflies every spring and summer.

A lifelong dog lover, in 1993 she was introduced to the German Shepherd breed and from that point forward, the family always included multiple shepherds.  Having dogs meant even more exercise and it was not uncommon to find her out on daily five mile walks throughout the entire Moline area.  Before long Judith and her daughter became known as the “German Shepherd Ladies.”  Countless times Judith was stopped on the street by people in cars, on bikes, or coming out of stores to ask for dog training advice, to inquire whether she trained dogs for the police department or if she bred dogs.  She would always stay as long as it took to answer questions and help out fellow pet parents.  Some would simply stop her to pet the dogs or let her know how much seeing them brightened their day. 

Judith lived by the Golden Rule and taught her children to do the same.  She was the mother at tennis meets you could count on to have extra food, water, and supplies on hand if you needed them.  She was the safe ride home, the person who would always answer the phone and could be counted on to respond to any crisis no matter the day or time. 

Judith’s selfless spirit led her to answer early morning phone calls and arrive at your doorstep when your puppy’s coat was full of burrs that needed to be removed.  She was the type of person that when you broke your collarbone she would design and sew special t-shirts to make dressing easier and deliver her own recliner when sleeping in bed wasn’t an option.  She was there for anyone who needed a ride to and from a doctor’s appointment.  She would shop, cook and deliver meals to help start you on the path of better eating.  She would even volunteer to take your dog for a walk or dog sit if it would help lighten your load.    

Judith was an amazing cheerleader, counselor, confidante and best friend.  Empathetic, kind and caring, she loved her family fiercely.  She was always there with a steady, quiet strength you could rely on when life became uncertain and stressful.  She was the best wife and mother imaginable and will be missed more than words can ever express.

A private mass with her family will be held Thursday at Christ the King Church in Moline with burial at St. Mary’s. 

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