Judy Thomssen, age 74, of Lake Benton, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at the Pipestone County Hospice House in Pipestone. Memorial service will be held on Monday, October 10, 2022 at 11:30 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Benton with a visitation to be held one hour prior from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hartquist Funeral Home – Lake Benton Chapel.
Judy Ann Thomssen was born on August 7, 1948, to John and Cherry (Kepler) Johnson. She attended school in Pipestone, Minnesota. On March 8, 1965, Judy married the love of her life Ron Thomssen and in 1966, they moved south of Lake Benton to Fountain Prairie Township where they farmed and raised their son, Will. He was Judy’s sunshine. The locals like the veterinarian and implement guys, knew to come to the Thomssen farm around noon because no matter how many guests came, Judy had plenty of food and room around the kitchen table. In 1989, Will married Heidi (Perry) whom Judy embraced wholeheartedly as a daughter. They brought into the world Judy’s three grandsons, Cody, Garritt and Trav. She loved the T-boys fiercely, leading them by her example of hard work and living by the spirit in the sky. They will forever cherish the memories Country Grandma made with them at the farm, playing catch for hours, jumping haybales and teaching them valuable life lessons like, “If you’re going to climb the tree, you better know how to get back down.” Judy spent her life doing what she could to make life better for others. Bringing laughter and extending friendship wherever she went, Judy volunteered immeasurable hours to her church, auxiliary, extension, and mealsite (Senior Dining Meals). She especially dedicated time to the Henry Sollie American Legion Post and Auxiliary, where she had so much fun working with the girls, she referred to them as her daughters by another mom. Cherishing her friends and fun-loving times, Judy looked forward to bingo night and early mornings at the Verdi coffee house, where she shared her homemade cinnamon sugar doughnut holes. Judy will be remembered for her infectious laughter, beautiful smile, and the way she made people feel special, treating many like one of her own. Judy carried throughout her life a great love of singing. Whether it was in church singing hymns loudly and proudly or a sporting event singing the National Anthem; she was giving it her all! As Judy reflected about her time on earth she said, “When you are born, you cry and everyone else rejoices and when you die, everyone cries and you rejoice. What a life.”
Left to celebrate her life and legacy are son, Will (Heidi) Thomssen; grandsons, Cody, Garritt and Trav; great-granddaughter, Josi; half-brothers, Steve (Kari), Jim (Vonnie) and Tom (Nancy) Rassmussen; half-sisters, Kathy (Mike) Rassmussen Formo and Jan (John) Johnson Mansfield Pidhayny. Judy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ron; granddaughter, Amanda Jo; mother and father; and half-brother, Dave Rasmussen.
