Judy Johansen

Judy Ann was born to Frank and Hertha (Claussen) Thomsen on September 1st, 1947 in Lake Benton, where she spent her entire life. As a young woman, she helped care for others by babysitting, working at the local café and working at the Showboat Ballroom alongside her family. As the oldest daughter, she developed a lifelong love of baking and cooking, especially her well-loved pies, which she joyfully shared with family and friends.

After graduating from Lake Benton Public School, Judy began her career as a CNA at Divine Providence Hospital and Nursing Home. Realizing her passion for caring for others, she pursued further education at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, South Dakota, earning her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Following her graduation in July of 1981, Judy returned to Divine Providence, where she worked for Dr. Mulder until the hospital’s closure. She continued her dedicated career at the nursing home, remaining there for the rest of her working years, compassionately caring for countless residents.

In 1983, after years of zooming past him on the highway in her white Pontiac Firebird, Judy met the love of her life, a shy local farm boy. Following a memorable first date and four months of courtship, she and Curtis Eugene Johansen were married at the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota on October 15th. The couple made their home in Lake Benton, where they built a life grounded in love and community.

Judy was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and was active in the Women’s Auxiliary. Her faith and sense of service extended throughout her community. She had a deep love for simple joys, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings (they never won a Superbowl so she did not get a tattoo) and Twins, baking (especially pies), cooking, canning, gardening, and traveling.

On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Judy passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Judy will be remembered for her dedication to her profession, her determined spirit, her honesty, and her ability to “say it like it is.” She also had a playful and trusting nature (dare we say gullible-she may have said the capital of Minnesota was Minneapolis) that brought smiles and laughter to those around her.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Curtis Johansen; her brothers, Larry (Anita) Thomsen and Charles Thomsen; brothers-in law: Kenneth (Betty) Johansen, Dennis (Gwen) Johansen, Darrel (Sandy) Johansen, Alan (Karen) Johansen, Loren (Renee) Johansen; sisters-in-law: Iris Guse, Donna (Keith) Meidinger, Janelle (Cal) Weatherly, Marlene (Tom) Brandt, Marilyn (Mark) Dietsch, Lorilee (Tim) Malecha; nieces: Tonia (Michael) Czech, Stacy (David) Riphagen, and Erin (Kevin) Owen; nephew: Corey (Laura) Garritsen; great-niece: Emma Czech; and great-nephews: Steven (Denisa) Czech and Adam Czech, who were especially dear to her. And many other relatives and friends who will cherish her memory.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Hertha Thomsen; her brother: Frank Thomsen Jr.; and her sisters: Theresa Garritsen and Patsy Chick; and her brother-in-law: Steven Garritsen.