Judith A Hayes

judith hayes

August 30, 1942 ~ January 14, 2023

Born in: Warren, Minnesota
Resided in: Watertown, South Dakota

Judith A. Hayes passed away on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. She is a resident of Watertown, SD.

Judy was born August 30, 1942 in Warren, MN to parents Clarence William and Helen Elaine (Deschane) Halverson. She attended rural grade school until the family moved to Crookston, MN. There she graduated from Cathedral High School in 1960. She went on to attend U of MN earning a degree in HRI (Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional) Management. While attending college, Judy met, and married Everett Flynn and they had one daughter. They were later divorced.

Judy’s 45 years of working in restaurants led her across both Minnesota and North Dakota. In 1977, she took an opportunity to be part of building / managing, from the ground up, the High Chapparal restaurant & bar in Beulah, ND. Three years later she moved to West Fargo, ND and began working at Embers restaurant in Fargo, ND. There she met many wonderful co-workers who became close friends and extended family.

It was with these friends that Judy became part of Crafty Ladies. For 10 years Judy, along with 6 others, displayed and sold hand-made crafts and other projects across the tri-state area at local and regional craft shows.

In 2000, Judy moved to Watertown, SD and went back to working at a hotel as a night auditor. Shortly after, she found what she considered to be the perfect job for her. She started at Dutch Boy convenience store and car wash in 2001 and worked there until she retired in early 2022.

Judy is survived by a daughter, Valerie Corinne Johnson (Flynn) of West Fargo, a granddaughter Kaitlyn Paige Johnson, an adopted brother Jerome C. W. Halverson of Crookston, MN and many, many wonderful friends she also called family.

It is at Judy’s request that there will be no Funeral or Memorial service. However, the family is planning a Remembrance ceremony in the spring in Watertown, SD.

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  1. This special woman took me in and treated me like I was another Daughter when Valerie and I became best friends in high school. I lost contact with her for many years and planned to see her before she died but, circumstances beyond my control prevented that from happening 😢. Judy always has a very special place in my heart ❤️ forever…

  2. I moved in next door to Judy in August of 2022. I introduced myself and gave her a goody bag and a few days later she dropped off some donuts. The few moments I had with her were amazing. She was a good soul and I will always remember her as my first neighbor ❤️

  3. We met Judy in July when I purchased the home next door for my daughter going to college. We dropped off a gift to say “hello”! She was shocked but appreciated us stopping by. My daughter and her have exchanged little things back and forth over the past 6 months. Jenna left her a Christmas card and told her she would be back in 3 weeks to check on her after Christmas break. Unfortunately we never got a chance to see her. Although we knew her briefly, she was such a kind soul and we will miss her. Our thoughts are with her family.

  4. Jenna,
    Mom spoke very highly of the “girls” next door and she absolutely loved the card you left her. Look for me on Facebook so you’ll know when the memorial is should you want to join us.
    Valerie Johnson
    Judy’s daughter.

  5. I know this has been many months later but I just found this and I am truly heartbroken. I have known Judy since I was a little girl. She was part of my wedding many years ago. Judy meant a lot to me. Mom was part of the Crafty Ladies and missed Judy very much. I hope that Judy knew how much she meant to us. It breaks my heart to never be able to tell her that and give her a great big hug.


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