Judith Mae (Thorson) Knoche Mahlstede (1922-2016)

MAHLSTEDE, KNOCHE, THORSON, JOHNSON, RICHARDSON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/30/2016 at 18:27:21

Obituary from the Daily Globe, Worthington, Minnesota.

Judith Mae Knoche Mahlstede

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Friend passed away peacefully in Mesa, AZ. Preceded in death by first husband, Ralph William Knoche; second husband, John Peter Mahlstede; twin brother Joel Thorson; and sister Marjorie Johnson. Survived by sons Randolph Knoche (Ruth Knoche Granheim) - Minneapolis, MN; William Knoche (Melinda, children Craig and Drew) - Tempe, AZ; and daughter Shawn Richardson (Ray, children Cole and Kellie) - Rocklin, CA.

Judy was born near Story City, Iowa to her parents Weir and Mabel Thorson and raised on their Iowa farm. She graduated from Story City High School and beauty school in Des Moines, IA. She met Ralph Knoche following his service in World War II and they were married in Story City on May 23, 1948. They raised their family in Worthington, MN, where Ralph was a much loved veterinarian. She had fond memories of them working together to set up his practice. Judy earned the rank of Grand Matron in the Eastern Star Order. Ralph passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 26, 1977. Judy stayed on in Worthington, where she had many friends and spent some years working in a women's clothing store.

Approximately seven years after Ralph's passing, Judy accepted a proposal from John Mahlstede, a horticulture professor at Iowa State University in Ames. They were married on July 7, 1985, and she returned to the area of her roots. In Ames, they lived in a townhome, built a new home, and finally moved to Green Hills. Here they continued to live a full and happy life, enjoying alumni activities and traveling, until John passed away on June 2, 2002. Eventually, after slowly succumbing to the terrible disease of Alzheimer's, she moved to Tempe, AZ, in order to be near her son, Bill, and her youngest grandchildren (she loved all her grandkids passionately). One of her most treasured moments was being present at Drew's birth.

Judy excelled in so many aspects of life: gardening, sewing, hair styling, cooking and baking (we loved her pies, kringla, and lefse), dancing, singing, decorating, playing bridge, hosting social events, and most of all in her roles as wife and mother. She created a home for her family filled with love and joy. Her gracious and warm personality enabled her to create friendships with people from all walks of life. One of her favorite volunteer activities was reading to residents of the long-term care unit at Green Hills. A life-long beauty, we have been told that in her youth, she was reminiscent of movie star Ava Gardner (although we think she was even prettier). We have so much love and admiration for Judy and feel incredibly blessed to have her as our Mother.