Judy Just Keeps Going

By Austin Steele

Austin Steele

Team Lee

STORY SUMMARY

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Judy Rounkles, an 81-year-old lifelong resident of Excelsior Springs, spends her days tap dancing, playing bridge, spinning the slots at a casino and hitting the links at the local golf course. After her husband Rodney passed away five years ago, a group of widows in town invited her to join them for lunch on a monthly basis, encouraging her to stay active in the community. That’s exactly what she’s done.

She’s known as “Prom Queen Judy” by her granddaughter-in-law for her ability to know at least one person anywhere she goes in town. Without fail, she strikes up a chat. Judy’s connection to Excelsior Springs runs deep across generations, including a political claim to fame: her father was once a mayor of the city.

Maintaining independence is important to Judy as she continues to live alone with some support, like neighbors who bring her an occasional meal or check in with a text in the morning. Her daughters Julie and Jill are happy for their mother knowing that she would hate assisted living. Many people her age are no longer able to live alone and require some form of help, but Judy is doing all she can to make every day count.

Judy Rounkles, 81, watches her golfing partners hit their shots at Excelsior Springs Golf Course. She started playing golf over 30 years ago alongside her late husband, Rodney.

Diane Erskine, left, and Paula Crist, right, watch Judy Rounkles hit a putt at Excelsior Springs Golf Course. Judy usually plays golf weekly and is the oldest player in her regular group.

Judy Rounkles, center, jokes with a group of golfers at Excelsior Springs Golf Course.

Judy Rounkles tries on a pair of shoes at a Macy’s in Kansas City, Mo. “I used to wear these for years and I love them. Now, I need to stay on the ground,” Judy said.

Judy Rounkles, second from left, practices with her tap dancing classmates at Dance Theatre Workshop in Excelsior Springs as they begin to prepare for a Christmas show. According to Judy these classes are both fun and good for her balance.

Judy Rounkles uses a hand mirror to examine how her new hearing aid looks with her hair at Miracle-Ear in Kansas City, Mo.

Judy Rounkles plays the slots solo at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City. Before her husband passed away, they would frequent the casino together.

Judy Rounkles is surrounded by photos of her grandchildren at her home in Excelsior Springs. Her daughters are proud of her for staying active and maintaining her independence, when others her age require assisted living.

Julie Henderson and her mother, Judy Rounkles, look at Judy’s yearbook from Excelsior Springs High School. Judy has lived her whole life in Excelsior Springs. “It’s home. Everyone I know is here,” says Judy.

From left, Judy Rounkles and her daughters, Julie Henderson, 59, and Jill Talley, 61, greet neighbors from Judy’s porch in Excelsior Springs. With a colonoscopy scheduled that week, Julie came into town from St. Louis and Jill from Orlando to care for their mother and take her to the procedure.

From left, Jill Talley, Judy Rounkles, Gary Hinze, Susan Hinze and Julie Henderson stand outside watching road work take place in their Excelsior Springs, Mo., neighborhood. Gary and Susan often take meals to Judy, since she doesn’t usually cook. They also make sure to check in with her every morning.

Brian Kratzer, Co-Director

Alyssa Schukar, Co-Director

Hany Hawasly, Technical Director

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