Judith Gronlie

Judith Gronlie, 94, of Grand Forks, ND and formerly of Northwood, ND passed away Sunday, October 8, 2017 at Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bilden-Askew Funeral Home in Northwood. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Judith Aveline (Skjoiten) Gronlie was born Sunday August 12, 1923 to Olaf and Julia (Lien) Skjoiten at the Northwood Deaconess Hospital. She and her identical twin sister, Judine Opal were the first twins born at the Hospital and were baptized October 28, 1923 at home as was the custom at the time. She grew up in rural Northwood. In 1937, she was confirmed at St John's Lutheran Church, Hatton, ND. Her Christian faith has been center of her life from early morning Norwegian devotions to participating in recent Bible studies.

Judy graduated from Northwood High School in 1941 and attended Mayville State Teachers College to obtain her teaching certificate. She taught in area one room schools until her marriage to Orville Gronlie, also of Northwood, ND, on June 30, 1946 at St John's Lutheran Church in Hatton. Together they farmed until Orville's accidental death in May 1973. During these years, she was active as a 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher, WELCA, gardening, sewing, canning, entertaining and decorating for the holidays. Her favorite role was of wife and mother.
Judy moved to Grand Forks, ND in 1980. She worked at Bjornson's Imports and made many new friends. Her Norwegian Heritage was important to her since she was first generation Norwegian.

Courageous, impulsive, compassionate, talkative, witty and funny, and Norwegian. These are some of the many words to describe Judy. She loved to draw, paint, read, take photos, go out with friends, and power shop. Her zest for life will be missed.

She is survived by her children: Kathryn (Roger) Kingsbury of Apple Valley, MN; Kent (Patty) Gronlie of Northwood, ND; David (Kim) Gronlie of Horace, ND; 5 grandchildren: Dan, Tim, Wendi, Mark, and Ryan, and 9 great grandchildren; her twin sister Opal Zimmerman of Mesa, AZ; 3 nephews and a niece; and many cousins.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Orville; parents, brother, Leon (Merilla); and grandson, Andrew.