Judy Hjartarson of Mesa, Arizona passed away at Crismon Peaks Assisted Living on August 12, 2018 following a long illness, with her sons and a son-in-law at her bedside. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a devout Christian.
Judy was born November 12, 1924 in Hoquiam, Washington to James and Alice Young. She grew up in Pacific Beach, Washington, graduating from Moclips High School in 1942. She attended Washington State University for two years and then transferred to the University of Washington where she graduated in 1946.
Following college, Judy taught high school at Peshastin and Zillah Washington and then worked in offices for two years in Seattle and Wenatchee. In 1950 she came to Cut Bank and taught Home Economics at Cut Bank High School for two years. While there, she met a young farmer, Hjortur “Babe” Hjartarson. They were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on June 9, 1951.
In 1952, Babe and Judy moved to the family farm south of Ethridge where they lived for the next forty-four years. Judy kept busy raising four children, cooking for hired men and doing all of the other things a farm wife does. During these years, she was active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School and participating in the ladies aid, served as clerk for the Ethridge School District, volunteered as a 4H leader, belonged to a bowling league and two Bridge clubs and also played duplicate bridge.
In 1996, Babe and Judy retired to Gold Canyon, AZ. Babe passed away in 2006. In 2013, Judy moved into Crisman Peaks in Mesa, AZ.
Judy is survived by four children, Diane Martin (Bob) of Deer Lodge, Montana, Dan of Gold Canyon, Arizona, Susan Rognlie (Brent) of Westminster, Colorado, Greg (Chris) of Mesa Arizona, nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-five years, Babe, her parents, James and Alice Young, her two brothers, Richard and Jim Young, two nephews and one niece.
Funeral services will be Monday, August 20, 2018 at 11 am at the chapel at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, 6747 E. Broadway Road, Mesa, AZ.
