Judith Ann Nowlin

Judith Ann Nowlin, age 76 of Oak Park Heights, Minnesota passed away and was received into the presence of her savior Jesus Christ on November 11, 2025. 

Judy was born on June 1, 1949 in Hutchinson, Minnesota, to her parents Gordon and Phyllis Engdahl, joining her older sister Patty. The Engdahls moved back to the Twin Cities in 1951 where they were joined by brother Steve in 1953. The Engdahl family enjoyed road trips in their camper and time at their cabin in Lutsen, Minnesota. Judy met lifelong friends, schoolmates, and neighbors through First Evangelical Free Church of St. Paul, Farnsworth Elementary, Cleveland Junior High, Minnehaha Academy, Campfire Girls, Pioneer Girls, and later Lakewood Evangelical Free Church, First Evangelical Free Church of Maplewood, and her Shoreview Homemakers group. She invested time and care in her community, listening and encouraging many. Judy attended Wheaton College as a freshman in 1967. After experiencing symptoms during her first year of college, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in June of 1968. She continued at Wheaton for her sophomore year. Judy was married to her husband Denny Nowlin from 1970 to 1985. Judy was counseled by her doctor to avoid having children for health reasons, but they would hear none of it, and welcomed Jonathan into the world in 1974. Judy loved being a mother and adored her son. She lived independently in her home for twenty years from 1985 until 2005. After experiencing a health setback, Judy moved into independent living at St. Andrews Village in Mahtomedi, Minnesota and later to Boutwells Landing’s assisted living in Oak Park Heights. Beginning in 2014, she spent the final eleven years of her life at Boutwells’ Gables nursing care. Judy’s fellow residents, friends, and nursing staff remember her joy and deep trust in God’s providence and care even as her suffering increased. She sent hundreds of birthday, well-wishes, and thank you cards over the years and always looked forward to phone calls and frequent visits from friends and family. She loved her grandchildren and was thrilled to meet her first great-granddaughter weeks before she passed. Judy’s ministry of encouragement left a lasting impression on everyone in her path, living a life “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:11, ESV).

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Phyllis and Gordon, and brother-in-law, John Sailhamer. She is survived by her son, Jonathan (Mandy) Nowlin; grandchildren Addalai (Daniel) Bouchoc, Elena Nowlin, Sam Nowlin, and Gabriel Nowlin; one great-grandchild, Elisabeth Bouchoc; sister, Patty Sailhamer; brother, Steve (Linda); and seven nieces and nephews.

Her life will be celebrated and remembered on November 21, 2025 at The North Church in Mounds View, Minnesota (5151 Program Ave, Mounds View, MN 55112) with a 10:00 a.m. visitation, 11:00 a.m. funeral, and luncheon to follow.