Judy Tomhave

1941 - 2025

Judy Tomhave, age 84, of Green Valley, AZ, passed away unexpectedly on September 18, 2025.
Born Judith Ann Lepel in Glencoe, MN, to Melvin Lepel and Verna (Tessmer) Lepel. Her father was killed in action during WWII in Burma in 1944 and she was raised by her mother in the small town of Plato, MN, with her brother Roger. After graduating high school in 1959 she headed to Minneapolis to study at the University of Minnesota. While attending college she met her future husband Charles (Chuck) Tomhave. After completing two years at the university she and Chuck married in the summer of 1961 and moved to North Dakota. They started their new life together in Bismark and ultimately landed in Fargo, where they lived for 35 years. They had four children together; Jon, Kimberly, Peter and Christopher.
In the 1980's Judy returned to her studies, enrolling at Moorhead State University to complete the bachelors degree she previously had started. She went on to earn her Masters Degree in psychology from North Dakota State University. She participated in various research studies and coauthored several papers, her favorite from 1991; Smile and [Half] the World Smiles with You, Frown and You Frown Alone. She ended her career teaching Psychology at Moorhead State University.
In 1997 Chuck and Judy lost their house in Fargo during the flood and they decided to trade the frozen north for the warmth and sunshine of Arizona. They lived in Tubac for 15 years and then moved to Green Valley. Throughout her life Judy was an avid reader and enjoyed participating in book clubs, playing bridge and other card games with friends. Judy also enjoyed various arts and crafts, becoming an accomplished watercolor painter later in life.
Judy enjoyed spending time with her family. Every summer Chuck, Judy and the "Tomhave Clan" would meet up at Leech Lake in Northern Minnesota for a week of chatting, playing games and laughing together. A favorite memory of all of her grandchildren were the individual Elderhostel trips she took with them to unique places.
She and Chuck were married 62 years and were active volunteers in their community. After Chuck's passing, Judy moved to La Posada Retirement Community where she enjoyed socializing with her many friends.
She will be greatly missed by many.
Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Tomhave; her father, Melvin Lepel; her mother, Verna (Tessmer) Lepel; and her brother, Roger Lepel.
She is survived by her children, Jon (Katherine), Santa Cruz, CA, Kimberly (Curtis) Stahn, Wauwatosa, WI, Peter (Valerie), Fargo, ND, and Christopher (Jean Sershen), St. Paul, MN. Judy was the grandmother of six; Natalie, Alec, Anna and Talia Tomhave and Nicholas and Harrison Stahn. Judy is also survived by her sister-in-law, Dianna Lepel of Lester Prairie, MN; her brother-in-law, William (Lois) of Moorhead, MN; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Sahuarita Food Bank.