Judy A. Graves

***UPDATED 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 11, 2023*** Due to weather and travel difficulties, a memorial service will be planned later in the spring. Judith Ann Graves (nee` Hoerer) was born in Rolla, ND. She was the 6th born in a family of 12. Judi was baptized at Hansboro Lutheran Church. She attended grade school at Picton, one year in Hansboro, and graduated from Rolla in 1965. After graduating from high school, she attended Minot State University, after which, she taught high school English in Maxbass. Judi met Thomas Graves, a shipmate of her brother John, at John’s wedding, and they married at Elizabeth City, NC on December 22, 1970. They lived in Hayward, and Alameda, CA, while Tom completed his enlistment in the U.S. Navy. They returned to North Dakota, where Judi was stationed as a medic for the United States Air Force at Grand Forks until 1979. They also lived in Rapid City, SD from 1983-1985. They had three children. Judi ran the house, raised a garden, canned and froze the produce of that garden, baked countless loaves of bread and rolls, and provided daycare for dozens of children, over the years. Judi was active in her church, serving on boards and teaching Sunday School. She loved thrift shopping for herself and others. She was always buying presents for others. Judi was an avid reader. Judi seemed to be all heart, and often on horseback. Despite her stints in other states – California and South Dakota – she seemed to always be a pure, full-blooded, North Dakotan, and a farm girl version of that. Judi had her first horse, Apache, for 31 years, and several other horses over the years. She also had cats and dogs and each had a lot of personality. She was a die-hard Yankees fan and could always be counted on for a game of hand and foot, or pinochle. Judi is survived by her husband, Tom, of almost 52 years, her children, Joshua (Joanna), Matthew (Kristie), and Anne; her six grandchildren: Elijah, Kate, Andrew, Annabel, Charlotte, and Molly. Judi is also survived by her siblings: Sharon Thomas, Richard (Cheryl) Haerer, Ronald Hoerer, Marlan (Linda) Hoerer, John (Ellen) Hoerer, Lucille (Ed) Overby, Sara (Bill) Henderson, and Kit Hoerer; many nieces and nephews; and her sisters-in-law, Jean Hoerer, Sharon (Ken) Hotten; her brother-in-law, Dave (Kay) Graves, and many other loving family members and friends. Judi was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Erna; her brothers Andrew and Randal, her sister Coralie, and brothers-in-law Dean Thomas and Paul Bonn. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in memory of Judi, to Shepherd’s Hill at the Crossroads 502 Shepherd’s Hill Drive St. John, ND 58369-9713.