Judith “Judi” Mae Harrington, age 83, of North Mankato, died September 6, 2026, at Oak Terrace Assisted Living, in the company and presence of her three daughters.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 14 at 11am at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Mankato with Pastor Adam Matheny officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, Windom, MN.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 14, one hour prior to the service.

Judith (Judi) Mae Harrington was born on May 1, 1943, in Springfield, MN to Mervin and Bernice (Grams) Harrington. She graduated from Comfrey High School in 1961. Judi attended DeLyle’s Beauty School in Fairmont MN and later attended beauty school in Burnsville, MN. She managed Johnson’s Beauty and then owned Sheer Beauty in St. James. She later operated Judi’s Beauty in her home and worked in the stylist industry for several years at several locations, alongside being a homemaker

Judi was united in marriage to Elroy Geistfeld on August 14, 1966. To this union, three daughters, Natalie, Nicole, and Nanci were born. Judi enjoyed the simple things in life and loved being a mother. She discovered that being a grandparent was a true blessing, and cherished the time spent with her seven grandchildren and recently her two great-granddaughters.

She was incredibly creative and talented and always had multiple projects going at once, which included craft ideas, silk flower arrangements and sewing. She avoided the whole Cabbage Patch doll buying frenzy by making her daughters their very own. Making Christmas dresses was another of her talents, and each of her daughters were recipients of her creations.

She enjoyed gardening and admiring flowers, drawing, calligraphy, and had a keen eye for interior decorating. Judi liked to cook and bake, and her family certainly reaped the rewards. Card playing with friends was something she did at all stages of her life. And she was good! In the past few years, she was known to watch tv with the volume on forty-five and would request Walker Texas Ranger, Gunsmoke, and Baywatch on tv. She loved music, and Elvis’s songs were favorites. She also enjoyed the Minnesota Twins. Judi’s Christian faith was important to her and brought her immense comfort. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Mankato.

Judi cherished the visits and time she spent with all her extended family and friends.

While Parkinson’s robbed her of the ability to fully participate in many of the above activities in her last years, her spirit and love of life remained until the end.

Judi is survived by her daughters Natalie (Darren) Van Houten, Worthing, SD; Nicole Geistfeld of Mankato, MN; and Nanci (Joe Oskerson) Geistfeld of Lewisville, MN; grandchildren, Joshua Van Houten, Carter Van Houten, Owen Oskerson, Adriana Freitag, Andre Freitag, Avari Freitag, Vienna Thomas; great-grandchildren Ivy and Matilda; sisters Barb Haugen, Fran Holland, Cheryl (Lee) Knutson; brother Jim (Jackie) Harrington, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mervin and Bernice Harrington, brother Ronald Harrington, brothers in law Donald Holland and Jerry Haugen, nephew Terry Harrington, nephew Ronald (Junior) Harrington, Jr.

Judi’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Oak Terrace Assisted Living for their daily care and loving support of Judi. They became like family to her and we are thankful and eternally grateful for the level of care they gave to her. Thanks to the St. Croix Hospice team for the loving and expert care and additional resources in Judi’s last months and days.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org