Judith Medalen Johnson died Sept. 24th 2018 at Fargo Essentia Hospital.

Judith Medalen was born on January 9th 1943 in Rolette North Dakota. The daughter of Jon and Ruth (Engebrit) Medalen. She was raised on the family farm with 7 sisters; Jo Ann, Betty Mae, Lylis, LaVonne, Blenda, Lynn and Sue in Willow City, North Dakota. She enjoyed growing up on the farm. She spent many hours outdoors playing with sisters, paper dolls, and fun times in their little play houses in the trees. Also enjoyed spending time in the barn helping her Father, John. She attended a country school and in the winter her father would carry them off to school by horse and sleigh. She had many fond and wonderful memories growing up on the farm it was a sweeter and simpler time she said before cell phones and computers.

She graduated from Willow City High School in 1961. She met Leonard Besednik from Euclid, Ohio who was stationed at Minot Air Force base in 1962. The two met and were married in 1963. They moved to Ohio where their two daughters Sharri and Ann were born and where she lived for nearly ten years. She developed great friendships in Ohio and continued those friendships throughout her life.

Judith and her daughters returned to Bottineau North Dakota in 1972. She met and fell in love with Glenn Johnson From Esmond North Dakota. Judy and Glenn were married in Bottineau North Dakota in 1974. The couple and two daughters moved to Towner, North Dakota. Judy was active with Girl scouts there. She started the first Girl Scouting Troop in the community of Towner. She and Glenn enjoyed taking the Scouts out on Camping and creative activities. She was also was very active in Her Lutheran Church in Towner where she became a Sunday School teacher. She enjoyed the kids and they loved her too. The family then settled in Jamestown in 1977. Judy worked for the American heart Association, The Alfred Dickey Public library where she met great Coworkers that she continued to stay in touch with. She also worked at The Anne Carlson Center as a teacher’s assistant. She helped there with their School proms and other events She loved her job there. She loved her students and they remained in contact for years. Judy loved decorating, gardening, making her home pretty, and comfortable. She always kept a perfectly organized home. She spent summer days attending to her beautiful flowers on her deck that she took so much pride in. She loved to feed and watch the hummingbirds she though they were just interesting little birds. She decorated her deck so nicely for the changing seasons and holidays. Judy cared a lot about pets and animals and cared deeply for children. Her life was very centered around her children and grandchildren. They were of the highest importance to her. She was always there for them when they needed her. She cared very deeply for them all. She was a great role model for her daughters and grandchildren She found much comfort in her children and family. Judy had a great sense of humor and everyone who met her was drawn to her wittiness and great personality. She loved to visit and had a special gift for conversation. She and her sister, Sue, shared a special bond and visited daily. She had really enjoyed Facebook keeping in touch with friends and family and meeting new international friends as well. Judy and Glenn enjoyed their RV Camper and summer trips to Medora and other special times in Hawaii. Judy really enjoyed Elvis Presley and his music and was a fan forever. She loved Music like Celine Dion and Neil Diamond. She liked to go see music shows with Glenn.

She was preceded in Death by her father, John, mother, Ruth, a sisters; Joann Rockvoy, Bette Mae Gautier, and Lynn Dreyer.

Judy is survived by Glenn B. Johnson of Jamestown, daughters; Sharri Besednik of Jamestown, Ann (Charlie) Berry of Dickinson, granddaughters; Kali (Jeff) Widmer of Jamestown, Brooklynn Berry and Chloe Doepke, grandsons; Mack Vaagen of Williston, Mason Vaagen of Dickinson, Jaryn Berry, and Finley Vaagen of Dickinson, great granddaughter; Vega Widmer of Jamestown, great grandson; Israel Jordan, sisters; Vonnie (Bernie) Schenborn of Minot, Lylis Schoenborn of Bottineau, Blenda (Gary) Geiszler of Dickinson, Sue Danielson of Minot and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Eddy Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Eddy Funeral Home with Pastor Erik Weber officiating.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens

Arrangements are in the care of Eddy Funeral Home.