Judith "Judy" Mains' Obituary
Judith Lorene Mains, 86, of Decatur passed away on August 2, 2025, at The Arc at Hickory Point in Forsyth.
Judy was born in Little Falls, MN, on January 2, 1939, the daughter of Roy and Elvira (Pedersen) Liddle. She was the second of three children born in Little Falls, Janice was the oldest and Jerry the youngest.
When her father was diagnosed with leukemia in 1942, she and her sister lived with their aunt in North Dakota. In 1943, Roy died in Carrington, ND and the family moved to the Pedersen farm near Juanita. In 1947, the family moved to Carrington, and she graduated from Carrington High School in 1956.
She attended Valley City State University earning her teaching certificate and taught at a rural school near Bremen, ND, before she moved to Minot to continue her teaching while attending summer sessions at VCSU. A friend suggested they move to Great Falls, Montana, and she met the man who would be her husband.
After Don Mains was discharged from the Air Force, he moved to Decatur to find work. Don and Judy were married in Decatur in August 1965, and they purchased a house where they would spend many years. Their daughter, Tracy, was born in 1967. Judy was a teacher’s assistant in the Decatur School System and she worked at Kohl’s in the men’s department until she retired in 2004.
Judy enjoyed crafts and puzzle games in her free time, and she was the favorite human to their dogs. After she retired, Judy enjoyed meeting with her Kohl’s coworkers for weekly lunches.
She is preceded in death by her mother and father; step-father, Gilbert Gussiaas; husband of 52 years, Donald Mains; and sister, Janice Liddle.
She is survived by her daughter, Tracy Mains, of Bartlett, IL; brothers, Jerry (Ellen) Liddle, of Fargo, ND and Bruce (Merleen) Gussiaas, Carrrington, ND; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Judy Mains will take place from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Following, a graveside service will be conducted in Graceland Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Judith?
What’s a lesson you learned from Judith?
Share a story where Judith's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Judith you’ll never forget.
How did Judith make you smile?
