Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester's First Lady has passed away. The wife of longtime Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede died this morning at the Madonna Towers Nursing Home after a lengthy illness.

Judy Brede was 79-years-old. According to the obituary published by Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, the former Judy Nelson was born in Springfield Minnesota before moving to Rochester to attend nursing school after finishing high school. She and Mayor Brede were married in 1961.

Judy worked as a nurse at Methodist Hospital from 1971 until her retirement in 1994. Along with her husband Ardell, who is finishing out his final term in office after serving 16-years as Rochester Mayor, Judy is survived by their three children and six grandchildren.

A visitation will be held Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. There will also be a visitation one hour prior to the funeral service, which will take place at Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester on 11 o’clock Monday morning.

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