Judith "Judi" K. Van Rensselaer

Judith K. Van Rensselaer, 81, of Casper, Wyoming, passed away on October 15, 2024 in Casper, Wyoming.

Judi was born in Lincoln, NE to Harold H. and Gertrude M. Link on November 28, 1942. She went to Natrona County High School in Casper and graduated in 1961.

She is survived by her Husband Arthur W. Van Rensselaer, Children, Todd S. Van Rensselaer (Corinna), Bret H. Van Rensselaer (Candy). Grandson, Ryan Gallegos (Lyn) and great grandson Finn Gallegos. She was preceded in death by infant brother and parents.

A celebration of life will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 302 East 2nd in Casper, Wyoming on Thursday October 24th at 10 am with Pastor Loren Boyce officiating. Bustard’s funeral home will be handling funeral arrangements.

Judi moved to Casper around 1957 and spent the majority of her life here. She graduated from NCHS in 1961 and went off to Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music in Berea, OH where she Majored in Piano and minored in Violin and Voice. 

Upon returning to Casper, she taught music in the Natrona County School District, Played in the Wyoming Symphony orchestra, directed the Choraleer Children's Choir at the First United Methodist Church and taught private piano lessons.

Judi enjoyed volunteering at the Wyoming Medical Center through the First United Methodist Church. She felt it was something she was meant to do as she was so comfortable doing it and she said she felt she received more than she gave while volunteering and spending time with people in the hospital.

Judi was an active member of her local PEO Sisterhood Chapter AT and cherished her time with the friends she made there. 

She was successful in every endeavor including working at the Wyoming National Bank and selling real estate for a number of years prior to her introduction to the world of retail fashion, which immediately became her passion, love and vocation.

Judi initially started Color Elegance in a studio in her home where she did individual color analysis and cosmetic consultation. Her incredible sense and eye for color helped her business expand quickly and into fashion. She then opened her first boutique Total Elegance in the Hilton hotel and later a second location on the east side of town. She loved sharing her boutiques with her beloved poodles that greeted and charmed her customers. She wrote in her later years that she was still excited and proud of those days with the many friends and customers that she loved to work with and that she had offered customers a place where they could “find something different”. 

After selling the boutiques Judi entered retirement with goals of supporting her aging father, becoming a birder, and to learn water color painting. She proudly wrote in her notes in 2023 that she felt she accomplished all of those goals. 

Judi by no surprise became an accomplished artist in many mediums. She loved her art pursuits and the enjoyment of the many lifelong friends she made in the art community while taking classes and participating in her favorite weekly art group. She wrote “I enjoyed the journey of beginning to completed piece and then to know they hang in the homes of friends and family.”

She loved taking her family to Hawaii for their annual vacation. She said she loved honoring her father’s generosity by taking everyone there and spending time together. She also said she loved the fact that the family was all on an island and couldn’t get away to busy lives!

Late in life her grace and character were apparent to all as she was constantly thankful and thoughtful to those who were caring for her through serious health issues. She thought of the others who cared for her rather than worrying about herself and her medical problems. She lived by the saying on a plaque on her stand; “One day at a time through Faith” which she said made her feel grounded and peaceful.

She was grateful for the visits from family and friends and wrote this for us all in her late days. “All in all, I’ve had a wonderful Life!”