Judith Gertrude Johnson

Judith Gertrude Johnson, 75, of Rapid City, SD, formerly of Sioux Falls, passed away, April 14 at Good Samaritan-St. Martin’s Village from complications of uncontrolled diabetes. A memorial service will be held, Thursday, May 1, at 11:00 am at the Westside Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD with Pastor Kent Stillson officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. A graveside service will be held, Friday, May 2, at 1:30 pm at the Hope Cemetery in Newell, SD with Lance Putnam officiating. The family suggests memorials be given to the South Dakota 4-H Foundation.
Judith Gertrude Johnson was born, August 25, 1949 and was the ninth of ten children born to George J. and Mamie E. (Stolnack) Johnson. George and Mamie leased ranches in Butte and Harding counties until purchasing the Brady place north of Castle Rock, SD in 1946. Judy’s arrival into the world occurred on the way from the family ranch to the hospital in Belle Fourche.
Judy attended country school at the Moreau School near the family ranch and graduated from Belle Fourche High School with the Class of 1967. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from South Dakota State University in 1973 and a Master of Arts degree in Adult & Higher Education from the University of South Dakota in 1991.
Judy was employed by South Dakota State University as an Extension Educator for 31 years. She worked in Charles Mix County (Lake Andes) from 1973-1977, in Fall River County (Hot Springs) from 1977-1981, in Yankton County (Yankton) from 1981-1997, and in Minnehaha County (Sioux Falls) from 1997 until her retirement in October 2004. Judy worked tirelessly throughout her career with colleagues and volunteers to educate 4-H youth and Extension program participants. The annual county fair and annual State Fair were especially long days of work.
Judy continued to live in Sioux Falls after retiring and kept active with various interests. She became a nanny to three, special “littles” in her life, including Reeghan Osthus, Lura Parker Roti and Landy Hurlbert. She immensely enjoyed her time with each of them. Judy continued to judge food exhibits at county fairs, when requested, and participated in the fun of a Red Hat group for a few years. She turned a hobby into a home-based business, named JuMaJo, when she created and sold beautiful lapel pins (created from buttons, trinkets, etc.) at craft shows in the area.
Judy enjoyed domestic and foreign travel, visiting six of the seven continents. She was an avid bowler, joining a bowling league wherever she lived and participating in the national bowling tournament for several years with six of her sisters. Judy was a movie buff and kept updated on Hollywood happenings.
Declining health forced Judy to move to the Good Samaritan campus in Rapid City in July 2021.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings and spouses, including Betty J. (John) Niemi, Doris H. Johnson, G. Douglas (Patricia) Johnson and Marilyn M. (Arnold, Jr.) Schmidt; other brothers-in-law, including Douglas Miller, William Schafer, and Roger Reynolds; and one niece, Teryl Johnson McGriff.
Judy is survived by five siblings and spouses, including Andrew W. (Linda) Johnson of Sturgis, SD; Beverly J. Miller of Mission, TX; Darlene J. Schafer of Mission, TX; Arlene J. Reynolds of Rapid City, SD and Ida L. (Mel) Johnson of Apple Valley, MN. Other survivors include special cousins, Annitta Stolnack of Newell, SD and Janet Hardy of Largo, FL, and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are under the care of Kline Funeral Chapel of Belle Fourche. An online guest book is available at klinefuneralchapel.com