Judith Stickel

Judith E. “Judy” Stickel passed away on August 24, 2026, at the age of 82.

Born on May 28, 1944, Judy devoted much of her life to nursing, education, and the people whose lives were touched by both. Her career spanned more than four decades and included work as a nurse, educator, administrator, consultant, and director of nursing. She had a particular gift for teaching, mentoring, and developing programs that prepared future generations of nurses for the work she cared so deeply about.

Judy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Jamestown College in 1966 and later earned a Master of Science in Nursing Education and Gerontology from the University of Northern Colorado in 1983. Her career took her throughout Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, and beyond, but teaching remained a consistent thread throughout her professional life. She served in leadership and faculty positions at institutions including Laramie County Community College, Trinidad State Junior College, Colorado Mountain College, Morgan Community College, Mesa State College, and South Dakota State University. She also helped establish and develop nursing programs in rural communities, leaving a lasting mark on nursing education in the region.

At Laramie County Community College, Judy spent many years educating nursing students, first beginning there in the 1970s and later returning as nursing faculty before retiring in August 2010. Throughout her career, she was known for her strong classroom and clinical skills, her ability to connect with students and colleagues, and the respect she earned from the people with whom she worked.

Her contributions extended beyond the classroom. Judy participated in professional nursing organizations, served on committees and boards, presented at nursing and vocational education conferences, and worked to advance nursing education throughout Colorado and Wyoming. For Judy, education was not simply about teaching a curriculum. It was about preparing people to care for others well.

Judy spent a lifetime teaching others how to care for people. The nurses she taught, the programs she helped build, the colleagues she encouraged, and the countless patients ultimately touched by her work are all part of the legacy she leaves behind.