Judith. (Judy) Kathryn (Ward) Sooter, 81 of El Dorado, Kansas went peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 in Wichita, Kansas surrounded by her family.

Judy was born in El Dorado, Kansas on June 15, 1945 to Clyde and Dorothy (Penton) Ward. She graduated from Wichita Southeast High School. Judy was a member of the nursing class of Butler Community College in 1967. Her nursing career included working at Wesley Hospital and St Joseph Medical Center where she worked on the cranial spinal, oncology and rehabilitation units caring for a multitude of patients. She also worked for home health, nursing homes and Cessna before retiring.

Judy was united in marriage to Darrell M Sooter on March 10, 1972. Together they welcomed two sons Samuel and Micheal into their family. She enjoyed spending time with family and was a regular attendee of the CC Ward Family Reunion. She also enjoyed reading, watching birds and art. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother John, and grandparents along with aunts and uncles

She is survived by her husband Darrell. Sons Samuel (Shawna) of Leon, KS, Micheal of Oklahoma City, OK, Darrell (Denise) of St George, SC.

Daughters Terri (Rick) Haney of Benton, KS, Kelly Sooter of El Dorado, KS, and Robin (Brett) Perkins of Goddard, KS. Grandchildren Samantha (Alex ) Cooper, Skyler (Emma) Sooter, Nathaniel (Annie) Haney, Jordan (Jay) Kolb, Bethany (Kenny) Bates, Hattye (Ean) Trumpower, Millie (Oscar) DonJuan, Nicholas (Kylie) Sooter, Rebekah (Aaron) Hynick, Jacob (Taylor) Sooter, Lily (Evan ) Bentley, Elisabeth, Emily and Benjamin Perkins.

Great grandchildren Grayson Cooper, Sterling , Samuel, Sawyer Sooter, Clara and Isaac Haney, Silas, Rowan, Vivian, Noah Kolb, Ira and Rafferty Bates, Milo, Lorelai, Jameson Trumpower, Israel and Alba Don Juan, Ella and Parker Sooter, Jackson, Ruby, Cole Hynick, Logan, Rylie and Avery Sooter, and Violet, Rosalie, and Marigold Bentley. Sister in law Joyce Ward Rodriguez, Aunts Mary Scheerger and Vivian Ward and a multitude of cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday October 8, 2026 at 11 am at the Leon Baptist Church in Leon, Kansas

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be given to the Butler Community College Foundation 901 S Haverhill Rd El Dorado, Kansas 67042 or butlelrcc.edu/give and select Friends of the Arts Program Support Fund