Judy Thaden, born April 20, 1923, died peacefully at Holy Rosary Extended Care early on October 18, 2013 after a stay of a few months following a broken hip.
Judy was the second child born to Harry and Elsie Ride of Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. She lived there until the family moved to Melbourne when she was 14. She finished high school in Melbourne and joined the Australian Women’s Air Corps in her late teens. She met her future husband, Robert Thaden, Sr. in her third year of military service. He was a medic in the US Army attached to the Air Force and was sent to Sydney for a month to recover from wisdom teeth extraction when they met on the street, listening to the Salvation Army band. Judy went AWOL for that month so she could spend all of her time with her “Yank down under,” sightseeing, getting acquainted and getting engaged. She got caught by the military police his last day in Sidney.
When WW2 was over, Judy got passage on a US Troop Ship to San Francisco, took the train to Michigan where she and Bob Sr. were married in 1947. Over the next 20 years she was a stay-at-home mom to Pamela, Bob Jr, Ron and Randall Thaden. She was a Cub Scout Den-Mother and a church youth group leader, directed church choirs and organized dance clubs for entertainment. They lived in North Bend, WI; Platte, SD; Wilmot, SD and Minneapolis, MN.
From 1957-1959 the whole family moved to Tasmania where Rev. Bob, Sr. served a Presbyterian Church, and they all had a chance to begin to know the Aussie side of the family. They moved then to Wilmot, SD and then on to East Grand Forks, MN where again Rev. Bob Sr. served congregations.
When the Thadens moved to Florida in the mid-1970s, Judy attended school and graduated in her early 50s from Flagler College in St. Augustine with a double major in art and social work. The oldest student in the college, her classmates called her “Mom.” She worked there for a couple of years until they moved back to Minneapolis where she worked for Hennipin County as a social worker for a senior living high rise complex until she was 65.
In 1990 the Thadens moved to Broadus where Rev. Bob Sr. was the interim pastor at Powder River Congregational Church right after his son, Rev. Bob Jr. resigned that church and moved to Miles City. During that time, one of Judy’s favorite adventures was the week she spent on one of Powder River’s wagon trains.
In 1992 they moved to Worden, MT where again Bob Sr. was the interim pastor at the United Church of Christ congregation for two years. Then after a couple of years back in their home in Minneapolis, they moved to Miles City for three years until Bob Sr. developed terminal brain cancer. After a year of living alone in Minneapolis, Judy moved to Butte, MT to live with her son, Bob and his wife, Marilyn, and finally moved back to Miles City with the younger Thadens when they moved back to develop their vineyard and winery.
Judy lived life to the fullest, loved swimming, canoeing and camping, music, drawing and painting. She was gracious and generous, but not afraid to stretch the rules to have a good time. She especially enjoyed her last 12 years in the Thaden family with Marilyn Thaden’s mother, Jeanne, as her housemate for all those years, sharing tea and cookies, laughter and stories.
Judy Thaden was preceded in death by her only brother, Ron Ride, her husband, Bob Sr. and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Thaden Zuckerman (Stephen) of Minneapolis; and sons Bob (Marilyn) of Miles City and their children, Lyssa and Josh; Ron (Susie) Thaden of Grand Forks, ND and his children Geoff, Sarah and Courtney; and Randall Thaden of Minneapolis; and her dear friend, housemate and tea partner, Jeanne Urban of Miles City.
A public Memorial Service and Tea Party will be held in a few weeks at United Christian Church. All of Judy’s friends and relatives are invited.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Cindy and Dale Berg says
Bob, Marilyn and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. What a wonderful life Judy had. She was blessed to have you all in her life. What memories you have made! God bless.
Margaret Tryon says
Bob, Marilyn and family,
Sorry to hear of Judy’s passing. What a blessing it was for you to have had time with her these past years. May God carry you through the sadness and help you to remember the wonderful times and great memories you have created.
Ken & Karen Strobel says
Bob, Marilyn, and Family,
So sorry to hear about Judy’s passing. May she rest in peace now. Remember all the good times you had with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Carol Schneidt says
Thaden Family!
Know that my thoughts and prayers are all with you! I’ll have fond memories of “MOM Thaden” forever!
J Johnson says
Dear family of Judith G. Thaden – I hope you are comforted by your beautiful memories and by Bible promises at this difficult time. It was not the Creator’s purpose that people suffer and die. Everything made by God was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Death was introduced by Adam’s disobedience (Romans 5:12). We are given a hope of resurrection of the dead to everlasting life John 5:28, 29). There will come a time when pain and death will be no more (Revelation 21:4). I hope that these Bible promises give you some comfort at this time (John 17:3).
Wayne & Nancy Denowh says
Bob, Marilyn, and family,
Our sincere sympathy in the loss of your Mom. So sorry to hear she had broken a hip. I remember fondly of meeting her at your home and of the stories about your “moms”. Blessings to all of you and hold tight to all the great memories. Wayne & Nancy.
Linda,Bob and Amy Atkinson says
To Bob and Marilyn,Pamela and Steven, Your mother was the most unique person we have ever had the privilege of knowing. We have such wonderful memories of her at the Outrigger. She was a fascinating person who enjoyed life to the fullest. Amy loved the letters with the pictures Judy would send her We hope the wonderful memories you have of her will help ease the pain of her passing. You all have our sincere sympathy and our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Linda, Bob, and Amy Atkinson
Sue Goodspeed says
Dear Thadens, especially Randall – Bob and Judy infiltrated life and worship at Lake Nokomis Presbyterian for a number of years – and I certainly recall echos of the ‘stretching the rules to have a good time!’ Her bright red hair, huge laugh, and honest presence filled us with love and life. The high school youth of the era will remember a persevering leader – even when taking on the wind-driven waves of Lake Superior in a canoe, leading the group home from the Apostle Islands! What a lady. It was an honor and life-giving experience to know her. Big smiles here in remembrance –
Patty Adler says
Hi Bob
I just wanted to send you my condolances on the death of your Mom, Judy. She was always very kind to me and I will forever hold her dear in my heart. Best to you and your family