Obituary of Judith T. Matala

Judith T. Matala, born on December 18, 1941, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2024, at the age of 82. She was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.

Judy was born in Iowa, grew up in Tonka-Woodcroft, and graduated from St. Louis Park High School.  She met her husband, Jon on a blind date set up by her sister, Kathy.  The two married on February 4, 1967 and moved to Bloomington where they raised their two children, Teleen and Bradley.  Judy worked as an office administrator for Valley Suburban Insurance Agency, Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Health Partners, and Northwestern Health Sciences University.  She was amazingly organized and always professional.  But her career always came second to her family and community.

As a young woman, Judy was active in the life of her church, St. Luke’s in Bloomington especially becoming close to a group of friends that started as Mary Circle.  As this group became more secular, they morphed into “Mary Square” getting together each month to play cards and support each other through life’s ups and downs.  These women became Judy’s lifelong friends.

Judy enjoyed being a mother.  She taught Sunday School, served as the PTA president, was a Girl Scout leader, an active hockey mom, and President of the Kennedy Band Boosters.  She was proud that both of her children went to Gustavus Adolphus College and that they stayed close to one another. 

In 2004 Jon and Judy built their dream home in Carver, Minnesota.  They enjoyed retirement together being grandparents and entertaining friends in their new space.  The two were lovingly married for 48 years until Jon’s death in 2015.

Judy wasn’t ready to die.  She had many things she still wanted to do: more cookies to bake, more games to play, and future weddings and graduations.  But we know she will be with us in spirit.  And the love she shared will live through the generations. 

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lois (Thornton) Cobbs, sister Kathy Smith, brother-in-law Gaylord, and husband Jon.

She is survived by brothers William (Sandy) Cobbs and Richard (Lenore) Cobbs, daughter, Teleen (Marshall) Saunders, and son, Bradley (Sarah). She was a proud grandmother to Calla and Carenna Saunders and Mikko Matala.

Memorial service Tuesday, September 17 at 11:00 AM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave. S, St. Paul. Visitation one hour prior. Private interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.