Judy F Troftgruben

Judith Fay (Johnson) Troftgruben, of Park River, ND, died on February 9 ^th , 2019, at the age of 77 in First Care Health Center in Park River, surrounded by her family.

Judy was born April 6, 1941, in Park River, to Hilma (Gorder) Johnson and John (“Jack”) M. Johnson. She was baptized at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Park River and grew up with two sisters and five brothers. Judy graduated in 1959 from the Walsh County Agricultural School and worked briefly for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Grafton.

Judy married Burnell Marvin Troftgruben on June 26, 1960, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Park River. Together they had five children: Janelle, Susan, Michael, Daniel, and Troy. Although they lived briefly in Grafton, Newburg, Clyde, and rural Adams, they made Park River their home from 1965 on.

In 1983 Judy started as a teacher’s aide at the Park River Elementary School and as a library aide at the Park River High School. In 1990 Judy began working at First Care Health Center (then St. Ansgar’s Hospital) in Park River, where she worked in the business office until 2013. During that time, she served for 20 years as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the Park River Volunteer Ambulance Service. Judy also worked several years as a groundskeeper for the Park River Memorial Park Cemetery.

Judy devoted many years of her life to raising her children and investing in her community. She participated in Homemakers, softball, curling, bowling, Garden Club, and other groups. Judy also took part in many volunteer activities. She volunteered often at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, serving several times on the Church Council. Judy also assisted the Park River Hockey Boosters, reporting local games for the Walsh County Press for 10 years.

Judy took great pride in keeping her home beautiful, both inside and out. She especially loved working outside in her yard. She enjoyed walking, gardening, reading, puzzling, and spending time with her family.

Judy is survived by two daughters, Janelle Barta (Greg) of Grand Forks, ND, and Susan Dub of Minneapolis, MN; two sons, Daniel Troftgruben (Hiromi) of San Diego, CA, and Troy Troftgruben (Maria) of Dubuque, IA; one sister, Donna Conroy of Mesa, AZ; five brothers, Lorn Johnson (Barb) of Dallas, OR, John D. Johnson (Audrey) of Park River, Duane Johnson (Nancy) of Pengilly, MN, Roger Johnson (Katie) of Park River, and David R. Johnson of Park River; nine grandchildren, Trish, Justin, Christopher, Nicholas, Luke, Jake, Mark, Timothy, and Teresa; and eleven great grandchildren. Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Bernie Troftgruben, her son Michael Dean Troftgruben, her sisters Melvina Johnson and Jean Brateng, and her parents, Hilma and John M. Johnson.

Judy’s funeral will take place Thursday, February 14 ^th , at 11:00am at Our Saviour’s Lutheran church, 129 Harris Ave S, Park River, ND. Visitation will be an hour-and-a-half before the service. Interment will take place this Spring at the Park River Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.