Judith Marlene Magnuson

Judith Marlene Magnuson

Judith (Judy) Marlene Magnuson went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Seattle, Washington, after suffering multiple strokes the year prior. She was 86 years old.

Judy was born on August 21, 1939, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to her parents, Charles (Charlie) and Cora Robbins. Along with her family, she moved to Seattle at age 2, where she was raised with her older brother, Paul. At 11 years old, she started attending a Lutheran Church with her mother and brother and decided at age 12 to accept Jesus as her personal Savior.

Judy attended Highline High School in Burien, WA, and graduated in 1957. She then attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle and graduated on May 25, 1959, with a two-year degree in biblical studies. She went on to attend Pacific Lutheran University from 1959 to 1961 with the goal of getting a degree in elementary education but decided that wasn’t the path for her, so she moved to Portland for a year and got a job in a printing company. After moving back to Seattle, she worked at the University of Washington in the Academic Personnel Office, as an office assistant from 1962 to 1964. This was a job she really loved. She met the love of her life, Bob Magnuson, in 1962, and together, they served in the Navigators, an interdenominational Christian organization in Colorado Springs, CO, from 1964 to 1966. She spent the summer of 1966 in Washington D.C. working at the National Academy of Sciences, then moved to Vancouver, B.C. for 9 months, and finally, married Bob on June 11, 1967, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn, WA.

Bob and Judy were married for 37 years before the Lord took Bob home. They raised and are survived by three children, Jodie Thorne; Jayne Vanderstelt (Jeff); and Jonathan Magnuson (Lissa). Judy’s legacy also includes 8 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, her older brother Paul, 3 nieces, and 2 nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her mother, Cora, her father, Charlie, her older brother, Carey, who died when he was 3 days old, and many aunts and uncles.

Our mom was a wonderful homemaker who exemplified her love and devotion to Jesus through the practice of hospitality. She was active in her church, Northgate Gospel Chapel, for 50 years, attending Bible studies and prayer meetings and, together with Bob and after he passed, serving in the children’s ministries of Action Club and Awana. She was a faithful servant of Jesus up until the very end.

All who knew and loved our mom are welcome to attend her burial and memorial service to remember and celebrate her life!

Burial: Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 pm

Tahoma National Cemetery

18600 SE 240th Street

Kent, WA 98042

Memorial: Saturday, May 30, at 11:00 am

Northgate Gospel Chapel

14330 15th Ave NE

Seattle, WA 98125