Judith Yvonne Bjornson

Judith Yvonne Bjornson, 81, passed away peacefully at home on March 25, 2023. Judy wasborn to Arthur and Lillian Thompson in Finley, ND on January 25, 1942. Her family later movedto Garrison, ND where she graduated high school in 1960. Judy then pursued a career ineducation and earned a two-year standard teaching certificate from Bismarck State College in1962. She taught for two years in ND, MN and SD before attending Minot State College. Judygraduated in 1968 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Reading.Judy met Duane Bjornson of Bottineau, ND, while attending Minot State College. They weremarried in Garrison on July 14, 1968, before moving to Racine, WI where she taught and Duaneobtained a Master’s in Teaching while first working in a steel mill and then teaching half time.After contacting the Bureau of Indian Affairs from a number left on a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reader board and subsequently interviewing in an airport just before the recruiterflew out, they accepted teaching positions and moved to Barrow, AK in August of 1972. Theyspent five years in the whaling villages of Barrow, Kotzebue and Unalakleet before moving toAnchorage, AK in 1977. Judy retired in 1994 after 32 years of teaching.Judy was a loving wife and mother who raised three children and encouraged them to be activein sports and other activities. She never missed a school event and her cheering voice could beheard above the crowd at the rink or field. She loved “shrimp and fries” Friday nights, playingpinochle and other games, and traveling back to ND each summer with her family. Judy’sfavorite time of year was Christmas, and she loved Elvis’s renditions of Christmas songs. Whilesinging along, she would transform her home into a magical and festive place for her family.Judy’s genuine care and desire to nurture made her a very effective teacher both to her ownchildren and to her students. Like nothing else could, the arrival of grandchildren brought thosequalities to new heights. She loved and found so much joy being “Grandma Judy” andcherished every moment she had with them.In addition to her love of family and teaching, Judy was a voracious reader who often had two orthree books going at any given time. She very much enjoyed spending time with friends whilebowling, going to bingo or playing bridge. Judy also enjoyed solving crossword puzzles,watching Jeopardy and playing other trivia games, and she made many lasting memories duringoutings that included riding the train to Denali State Park and rafting on the Nenana River with agroup of best friends with whom she played bridge.Judy was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Arlin, Truman and Dennis Thompson;sisters, Lois Olson and Myra Thompson; brother-in-law, Darrel Gietzen; and sister-in-law,Audrey Thompson.She is survived by her husband, Duane; children, Kris (Melinda) Bjornson of Anchorage, AK,Noel (Tim) Lake of Anchorage, AK, and Steve (Anna) Bjornson of Rye, NY; grandchildren,Katherine, Kristian and Karlotta Bjornson of Rye, NY and step-grandchildren, Caroline andEmily Lake of Anchorage, AK; sisters Janice Gietzen of Minot, ND and Myrna Spoon of Everett,WA; brother-in-law, Chris Olson of Garrison, ND; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Thompson of Washburn,ND and Clara Thompson of Bismarck, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.A Celebration of Life will be hosted in her honor on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 8470 Pioneer Driveat 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food pantry.