80
Sioux Falls, SD (formerly Hankinson, ND)
December 24, 2021
Judith Friday passed away at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Judy was born and raised in Hankinson, ND, where she met the love of her life, Noel in the 7th grade. They were married on December 31, 1959, in Fergus Falls, Minn. and made their home in an upstairs apartment of Noel’s parents’ home. Daughter, Sherri, was born shortly thereafter. Judy attended the ND State School of Science in Wahpeton and graduated with a business degree.
Judy and Noel moved to Rapid City in 1960 where daughter Lisa was born. Judy worked at Buckingham Freight Lines doing data entry in the computer department. In 1962, Judy and Noel made their move to Fargo where son Scott and daughter Lynette were born. Judy worked at the Armed Forces Entrance and Examination Station where she worked until Noel’s job took them to Brandon in 1977. She was able to transfer and continued to be the Executive Assistant to the Commander in Sioux Falls; however, the name had been changed to the Military Entrance Processing Center. All in all, she worked for the military in a civilian position for 25 years!
In their earlier years, Judy and Noel were very active in bowling and accumulated multiple trophies. Judy threw a 16 lb. ball! They were members of the Sheyenne Valley Riders Snowmobile Club. They loved to spend time camping with friends and Judy was the Brandon VWF Auxiliary President for years.
In 1989, the company Noel worked for closed and his job search took them to Brooklyn Park, Minn. Being a civil servant, Judy was able to get another government job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the Executive Secretary to the director until she retired in 2002. After she retired, she found the days to be long so Noel asked her to come and help out in different capacities at his office on an as-needed basis. She truly enjoyed doing different odd jobs around the office. She truly was a “Girl Friday”.
In 2008, Judy and Noel returned to South Dakota and built a house at Lake Brandt but between doctor appointments for the both of them and running to town for various reasons, they decided to come back to the city in 2019 and moved to a twin home in Sioux Falls just a few blocks from their daughter, Lynette.
Judy cherished her family and her biggest love in life was attending functions of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many, many hours were spent at ball games (some of which she may have gotten too vocal and kicked out), rodeo stadiums, dance recitals and concerts. She would always show up with the wagon with her cooler and little red bag full of treats which she gifted to great-grandson Huck in her last days.
Judy loved being at the lake and going for sunset pontoon rides. When the family gathered, she was in charge of making her famous potato salad, Scotcharoos and chocolate chip cookies because no one could make it like grandma. The girls did get the potato salad ingredients written down but she didn’t follow a recipe. She just tasted it with her little pinky and would add a little of this or that. Noel is hopeful that someday they’ll get the right combination figured out.
She dearly loved getting together with friends and family, whether going to the casino or sitting around the table playing games and laughing. She felt lucky to have some of the dearest friends one could have. Thank you so much for being such a light in her life.
Grateful for sharing her life are her husband Noel Friday of Sioux Falls; their daughters Lisa Rollag and her husband, Kevin of Hendricks, Minn., and Lynette Neal and her husband Marty of Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren Adam (Nicole) Neal of Sioux Falls, Jeremy (Brooke) Rollag of Wentworth, Mike Neal of Coon Rapids, Minn., Lyndi (Phil) Hudson of Huron, Matthew (Megan) Rollag of Brandon, Alex Hawke of Sioux Falls, Zach Neal of Hartford, Megan Zimmer of Brookings, and Zachary Zimmer of Sioux Falls; 11 great-grandchildren Sutton, Addison, Knox, Emersyn, Wyatt, Huck, James, Cameron, Pierce, Boone and Braxton; her sister Patricia Schwebach of Apple Valley, Minn.; sister-in-law Judi Roth of Fargo; and a host of additional relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held December 30, 2021, at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Hankinson, ND, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements provided by George Boom Funeral Home.