Judy M. Ellefson, 69, of Hettinger, passed away in the early hours of November 24, 2006 at Hillcrest Care Center, Hettinger, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 27, 2006 at 2 P.M. at the Hettinger Lutheran Church. Rev. Kathleen Dettmann will officiate with burial in the Hettinger Cemetery.

Serving as casketbearers are George, David, Kevin Bjerke; Paul Wagner, Jeff Oase, Drake, Mike, Tom Carter; Jim Howell, and Jerry Reents. The Hettinger High School Class of 1955 are considered honorary bearers.

Judith Mae Snyder was born April 24, 1937 to Joseph and Viola (Olson) Snyder in Hettinger. She grew up in Hettinger, living over the family bakery on Main Street. She attended Hettinger High School graduating in 1955. She was very active in music and student government. Judy continued her education at McCallister College in St. Paul, MN and the National School of Business in Rapid City, SD. Following college, she joined the American Crystal Sugar Company in Denver working as a secretary in the purchasing department. Judy was appointed Executive Secretary to the president of the company. Judy held an office with the Denver Executive Secretaries Association. During this time she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Mike Ellefson on August 17, 1958 in a double ceremony along with her sister, Jane at the Hettinger Lutheran Church.

Judy left American Crystal Sugar due to Mike's transfer to the mid-south in 1967. They lived in Memphis where Judy was active in volunteer work. Mike was transferred to Columbus, OH in 1969. It was in Columbus where Judy and Mike started their family. Besides being a dedicated wife and mother, she continued volunteer work with the needy.

Following the death of her father, Judy and Mike returned to Hettinger and Mike was transferred to the Dakotas. Judy was employed for 11 years with Hillcrest Care Center in the activities department. She was president of the school board and sang with "The Hometowners". Over the years Judy was very dedicated to the community serving on committees and holding office for many. They included the Eagles Auxiliary, the American Legion Post 115 Auxiliary, Hospital Auxiliary, 2nd 40, Iwo Jima Veteran Service Organization, Southwest Social Service Board, Board member of the Adams County Social Services, dual sexton of the Hettinger Cemetery as well as assisting Mike in his many service organizations. She was a member of the Hettinger Lutheran Church and played piano for services and Sunday school. She also provided the special music for Hillcrest Care Center and Western Horizons. Judy loved the piano and music. She was an exceptional cook and baker and enjoyed sewing and stained glass work, making many gifts for family and friends. The computer and internet were fun additions to her life and she kept in touch with family and classmates through e-mail. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother and loving wife and grandmother. All who knew her found her to be generous, warm and talented. She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her husband, Mike; 2 daughters and son-in-law, Jill and Drake Carter, Bismarck, Kristen Ellefson, Fargo; sister and brother-in-law, Jane and George Bjerke, Lakewood, CO; 5 grandchildren, Megan, Madison, Bodie, Mike and Tom; numerous in-laws; nieces; nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers memorial are preferred to the West River Health Services Foundation (www.wrhs.com).