Judith Losh

Judith Losh, 77, died on December 4, 2020, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines. She was born in Hampton, Iowa on November 23, 1943, to Harold and Minnie Griffith as the second of three girls, including older sister Carol and younger sister Mary and grew up primarily in Mason City, Iowa.

In high school, Judy played bassoon in the orchestra and was a twirler for the marching band. She was a member of the Future Nurses club and Rainbow Girls. After graduating high school in Mason City in 1962, she attended Iowa Methodist School of Nursing and graduated in 1965.

Judy married high school sweetheart Rodney Losh in 1965 and soon started a family with the arrival of Michael, Brian, and Garrett. Through the early years, the young family lived in several locations in Iowa, including Des Moines, Marion, Cedar Rapids, then Altoona for many years, where they were active members of the Altoona United Methodist Church.

Judy’s nursing career in Marshalltown and Des Moines was put on hold during her sons’ early childhood, but she returned to nursing in 1981 at Iowa Methodist Hospital. After being a very active member of the La Leche League organization, which advocates breastfeeding, she became Iowa’s first International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and helped to establish a breast milk bank for infant intensive care. She was honored with the “100 Great Iowa Nurses” award in 2005. She retired as a supervisor in 2008.

After retirement, she moved with Rod to Waukee to be closer to two of her sons’ growing families. She was very involved with caring for her grandchildren and enjoyed attending many of their sporting, music, and other activities.

Judy is survived by her sister Carol (Terry) Sampson and sons, Michael (Anne) of Rochester Hills, MI, Brian of West Des Moines, and Garrett (Jill) of Urbandale; daughter-in-law, Melissa Losh; grandchildren, Maura, Griffith, Haley, Aiden, Devin, Carter, Claire, Morgan, Adam, Maeve, Zachary, and Kate; and a host of other family and friends.

There will be a brief prayer service for family and close friends at 2:00 PM Friday, December 11, 2020 outdoors at Altoona Cemetery. Following, a public visitation will be held from 4pm to 6pm at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW.

Memorial contributions may be directed to UnityPoint - Taylor House hospice or Altoona United Methodist Church in loving memory of Judy.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print