Judith F. Nygard

Judy Nygard passéd into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on October 5, 2025 after a long hard fought battle with dementia.

Judith Fay Wilson was born March 2, 1935 in Hoople, ND to E. and Viola (Grythe) Wilson. Throughout high school she was active in glee club, choir, pep club, church and the school paper. They said you always knew where Judy was because you could hear her singing! Some or her favorite memories were of the times spent with her grandma and grandpa Grythe at the farm by Badger, MN and living with her mother and step-father Albert Aardahl and siblings on a farm by Adams, ND.

After her junior year, Judy took a break from school to work at a bank in Minneapolis, where she lived with her Aunt Betty. She returned to Hoople and graduated in 1954. While roller skating in

Grafton she met the love of her life. She married Del Nygard in December of 1954 and they celebrated 70 ½ years together until his passing on July 31, 2025. With her dementia, she didn’t always remember his name, but she always remembered “he was the one she loved the most”. He was the bright spot in her day and I think her world just got too dark without him.

Being a strong woman of faith, Judy prayed daily for her family, church and neighbors. She was a wonderful example to all who knew here.

Judy was a self-taught bookkeeper, secretary, truck driver and wall paper hanger. There was nothing she couldn’t do. Being a avid reader she instilled the love of books in her children and grandchildren. Her love of animals was also a legacy she passed on. I don’t know how many cats, dogs and birds she rescued. They just seemed to sense that they could go to her.

Judy is survived by her children: Joni Nygard and Dr. Shane (Ann) Nygard; four adored grandchildren and families: Dr. Katie (Bart) Schouweiler, Grace, Brayden Liam and Micah; Emily (Nick) Ternes, Olivia, Ellianna & Jackson; Dr. Adam (Summer) Nygard, baby boy and Matthew Nygard. She is also survived by her sister, Gayle Brown and many much loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Del, mother and step-father, Viola and Albert Aardahl, in-laws: Bert and Nellie Nygard, sister, Dottie, step-sister, Esther Boettger, brother and sister-in-law, Ray &Earline Wilson, brother-in-law Bill Brow, sisters-in-law Lorraine Thorlakson, Blanche (Harlan) Kravick, Marilyn Nygard and brother-in-law, Vernon (Alice) Nygard.

There was nothing this woman wouldn’t do for her family. She made countless sacrifices for her loved ones and always put others first.

“Mom we cannot thank you enough or love you more”. Her children will arise and call her blessed.

A special thank you to the staff at the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton for the last two years of care and support and to Valley 4000 for seeing us through the final stages of this dreaded disease. We couldn’t do it without you.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at the Bethel Free Lutheran Church of Grafton, ND. Visitation will be Tuesday for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Memorial Park South in Grand Forks, ND.