Judith Berenyi

Judith Deane Berenyi, 86 former long time resident of Sedalia, Mo passed away on October 3, 2022 at Kingswood Senior Living in Kansas City, Mo. Judith was born on December 24, 1935 in Dresden, Mo to Clarence Rissler and Edith Wallace Rissler. She married the love of her life, George Alexander Berenyi on October 18, 1958 in Sedalia, MO at Broadway Presbyterian Church officiated by Rev. Neal.

Judith's younger years were spent on the Santa Domingo and Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservations where her mother and father were employed as teacher and Principal. Several years later, when Judith was 12, the family moved to Sedalia and purchased half interest in what became Freeze and Rissler Dairy. Unfortunately, Judith's father was killed in a car accident shortly after in 1948. The dairy however, continued to be a special part of her life and a source of part-time employment for her. She graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1953. After which, she attended the University of Missouri, Columbia and later received a degree in Dietetic Science. As a Chi Omega at Mizzou, Judith was named Barn Warming Queen Candidate (1957). She was honored by an internship at Boston Massachusetts General Hospital in Dietetics after touring on a family vacation. While in the area, she met George "Alex", a handsome Navy Ensign. This accidental meeting while on vacation became a love story for nearly 64 years. When "Alex" came to visit her in Columbia, the Chi Omega sisters enthusiastically celebrated with Judith by hanging out the windows of the house to greet him.

After she completed her internship, Judith and George "Alex" decided to remain in the area and lived on Long Island in New York while starting their family. It was there, she welcomed their two sons, Christian Berenyi and the late Andrew Berenyi. They moved back to Sedalia, MO in the 70's and Judith began teaching Home Economics at Smith- Cotton through 1990. She retired from teaching to enjoy spending time in her Wedding Company downtown Sedalia. There she enjoyed making bride's dreams come true by bringing the latest bridal attire and trends from the West and East coast markets to Sedalia for over 20 years. She loved to entertain and do gourmet cooking to the delight of her friends both in Sedalia and her new Kansas City neighbors when they relocated in 2009.

Over the past 5 years, Alex has been Judith's sole caregiver by her side always during her failing health.

Judith is survived by her husband, Alex Berenyi, of Kingswood in Kansas City, MO, son Christian Berenyi, of Paris, France, sister Barbara R. Schulz of Spring HIll, KS and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Andrew Berenyi.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later time.