Judith (Judi) Kay Galbraith (Rieken)

Judith (Judi) Kay Galbraith, age 86, died on Friday evening, January 30, 2026.  The daughter of Melvin and Dorothy (Cook) Rieken, she was born on March 28, 1939, in northern Iowa.

Judi graduated from Algona High School, went to beauty school, married James Galbraith and had two daughters.

Never able to sit still she worked several jobs: Parker Brothers, Dahls, Christophers, Ingram Entertainment to name a few.  People loved her sense of humor, spirit and her fierce loyalty to her friends and family. Always up for an adventure, she could definitely be referred to as a force of nature.  Favorite activity: jumping on the bed in hotel rooms upon arrival (until she got too old.) She will be missed.

Judi’s surviving family includes daughter(s) Kathy (Galbraith) Stackhouse of West Des Moines, Iowa and Lisa Galbraith of Des Moines, Iowa, grandchildren Zoey (Stackhouse) Mattes of North Liberty, Iowa and Gage Stackhouse of Des Moines.  She was preceded in death by her parents, sister and two brothers.

 A Celebration of Life is being considered but not in place.  More information will come in the following weeks.