She was the third of three children following her sister, Charlotte, and her brother, Frederick. Her education began at Minot Elementary School where she participated in Brownies and then Girl Scouts. Judith greatly enjoyed her summers at Lake Metigoshe. She loved swimming and fishing. One of her favorite childhood responsibilities was delivering the grocery store bill payments. She rode on the handlebars while her brother Frederick pedaled the bike. They were always rewarded with an ice cream cone when they were finished. One of her favorite memories from this time was seeing the great singer, Marion Anderson, perform at the Minot State concert series. She graduated from Minot High School in 1947 and then attended Minot State University the following year. While at Minot State she danced in a campus production of the Follies. After her first year at Minot State, she completed her education at North Dakota State University, graduating in 1951 with a BS in Home Economics Education.
She began her teaching career at Belfield High School, Belfield, ND, where she met her future husband, Fred Fleener. They were married at St. Vincent’s Methodist Church, Minot, ND on December 27, 1951. The couple lived in Fargo, ND, and Amidon, ND before settling in Dickinson, ND in 1962. During this time, six children were born.
Besides raising six children, Judith taught practical nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Dickinson, ND, and was a special instructor for NDSU for all counties west of the Missouri River, taught at Dickinson High School, and was a state extension home economics judge.
Judith was a member of the Dickinson United Methodist Church and held numerous offices there as well as singing in the church choir. She was a member of the Women’s Circle and both taught and was a member of the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was also a member of PEO-Chapter 8, Order of the Eastern Star, St. Luke’s Service League, local homemaker’s club and AAUW.
Following her retirement, she and Fred traveled to Alaska, Europe and Asia visiting family. Judith was a master chef and enjoyed cooking and hosting many family dinners and holidays. Judith also treasured her time at the family cabin at Lake Garfield, Laporte, MN. Some of the lake activites she enjoyed included blueberry picking, swimming, fishing, arrowhead hunting, gardening and playing bridge. She especially enjoyed sharing those times with her grandchildren.
Judith was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister and brother.
Judith is survived by her loving children, Rebecca Donovan (Larry Frye), Mandan, ND, Glenn (Tacy) Fleener, Victor, MT, Carmen Haugen, Minneapolis, MN, Bradley (Elisa) Fleener, Eagle River, AK, Juliene (Max) Kirschbaum, Westminster, CO, and Marianne (Moneer) Rana, Woodbury, MN, and her fifteen grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Private interment will take place this week at Oak Hill Cemetery. In memory of Judith, please make a donation to Shriner's Hospital at http://donate.lovetotherescue.org. The recorded funeral service will be available on our Facebook Page later next week: https://www.facebook.com/Wulff-Woodbury-Funeral-Home-162790153745901
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