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Judith Knodel Obituary
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Norma Helming
October 9, 2004
Judy Knodel - A woman with beauty of mind, body, soul and spirit. An Angel sent to our family at a very difficult time. When she walked into a room the aura of her presence was captivating. Whenever she spoke you listened, because you wanted more. A woman of peace and joy, infectious laugh, firm but yet encourating, always classy. She has left a tremendous, unfillable void, but her memory will live on in our hearts, minds and the JUDY KNODEL KIDS KANCER FUND. We extend our deepest sympathy to Loraine, Andrea, Adam, also the rest of her family and friends.
MaryJo Schaust
October 8, 2004
Hello Family and Friends of Judy! I, like so many others, count myself blessed to have had Judy as part of my life. Her unconditional support; her patient respect for people; her "rose colored glasses" outlook and her strength have always been enviable. She has always had the uncanny ability to make me feel very special and that she had been waiting to hear from me or talk with me, no matter what her day or week or year had been like. I feel fortune to have had visits & conversations with her thru' many stages of my life and hers. She's my hero!!!!! I'll always miss her.
Tom Thompson
October 8, 2004
Judy was a wonderful gift in my life. I will never forget, but will always miss her infectious laugh. When I visited her in the hospital 6 days before she left her body, I had brought her a chicken gyros sandwich from Dinos restaurant in St. Paul. As she smelled its sensuous aroma, she said her Dr. would go nuts if he knew she was going to eat meat. She shared another one of her famous giggles, when she said "this isn't going to kill me."
Judy taught me not so much how to fight against death as she did in teaching me on how to fight for the preciousness of life.
God bless the memories all of us have of Judy.
Joanne Schuldt
October 8, 2004
As an employee of the Court system in Houston County, I had the pleasure of working with Judy for a number of years. I can't think of anyone I admired or respected more than her. She was the most unselfish person I ever met. Even though she was terminally ill and not always feeling well, on most days you would have never known it. She always looked great, always had a smile on her face, and was always asking everyone else how they were doing; and then there was that laugh - that wonderful, infectious laugh. You always knew when Judy was in the building - we would hear that laugh, look at each other and say "Judy is here!" She always made our day just by being there, and she became a wonderful friend to us all. I never saw a probation officer who cared more about her clients. She was tough when she had to be, but yet she had a way about her that made them all love and respect her. I know she is in a far better place now and I am glad she will no longer have to suffer, but she leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. She touched many lives and Houston County will greatly miss her.
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Ross Phelps
October 7, 2004
Judy was the most optomistic person I have ever known. She was also a very compassionate person. Many of her clients thought very highly of her because she treated them with respect....if they earned it. She is missed.
Julie Thompson
October 7, 2004
How do I start this? You know there are people who come along in your life at just the right time. So it was with my friendship with Judy. She arrived in Houston County with all the exuberance that carried our friendship through our days of motorcycle rallies, parties with the singles groups, trips across the country, and joys of winning (or losing) on our little gambling escapades.
She was one of my best friends. Judy taught me more about the beauty of living our lives to the fullest each day than any other person in my life. She probably knew me better than I know myself. The selfish part of me desparately wanted much more time with her, time to be Red Hat ladies; my love for her says this is the way she wanted to leave us. Not having others to have to do her cares and with the same class and dignity that carried her through the days of knowing she had terminal cancer.
Rodney Dangerfield and Judy Knodel on the same flight to heaven....can you imagine the good time the angels are having?
Shirley Zachman
October 7, 2004
First and foremost my deepest sympathy for all the family and friends on the loss of such a wonderful person. I felt a special connection to Judy ever since I babysat Michelle and Shannon every weekend in Mpls, I still have the painting the girls and I made at the church carnival the weekend before they died...... I guess it was time for the girls to have their mom with them.
I am a believer that we bring people into our lives for a reason and maybe a lesson, I feel very luck to have had her in my life!
Judy you WILL be missed............
Renee Pouliot
October 7, 2004
I got to talk to Judy for quite a while at the Pouliot reunion a couple years ago. Even though it had been a really long time since I saw her we talked as if were just yesterday. She was a very warm and interesting lady and truly had a fiery zest for life. My sincere sympathies go out to her children and family, I know she will be missed.
Michael Karasek
October 7, 2004
I feel very lucky to have met Judy this summer and spend not nearly enough time getting to know her. I think she's taught us all a lot about "living" life and enjoying everything you can, when you can. We'll all miss you Judy, very much.
Judy, Julie, and "Gilda"
October 7, 2004
Judy and Julie on Lake Superior Tour, July 2004
October 7, 2004
Kristi Petersen
October 7, 2004
Thank you Judy for your spirit, knowledge, and wisdom. Your grace and dignity are a lesson to all. Thank you God for blessing me enough to know your Angel here on earth. My first encounter with Judy was in a police station while waiting for an officer to go on a call with me...she had the delightful audacity to kid one our "stern" State Troopers and call him "Quick Draw McGraw." I later found out from Kelley, that same Trooper who became my dear friend, that Red's (Judy's)quick tongue got her a wonderful life-long friend -Kelley couldn't resist her charms. Judy affected so many people in that same way. I will miss you Judy, but I will be happy for you and rejoice in the beauty you left behind on this earth and the beauty you now grace Heaven with.
Beth Harnish
October 7, 2004
I had the privileage of having Judy as a guest in my home and also enjoying several good times with her vsocially due to our mutual friend, Julie Thompson. I too remember most her positive, accepting attitude and her huge smile...and her ability to make you feel so liked just by her presence. My sincerest sympathy to her family and all of her dear friends, which I recall being many.
karen bolme
October 7, 2004
Three or four years ago I was lucky enough to reconnect with my cousin, Judy. She was inspiring to me every time we shared old memories, talked of her illness and talked of the future. We talked of dying and both agreed, there was nothing to fear, and only peace to be expected. To say it was an honor to know her would be putting it all too lightly. She was a walking role model of what we all should be. I am sure she has been an inspiration to all who knew her. She definitely has been to me.
CAROL (POULIOT) MINDRUM
October 7, 2004
Lorraine, and family--my heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and all who have ever known Judy..I did get to talk with her briefly at our big Pouliot Reunion a couple yrs ago. She always had a big smile, and this is how I shall always remember her. May God bless you all and help you through this sad time..Cousin, Carol
Cathy Meyers
October 6, 2004
I met Judy in July at the start of the Wolf's Head Lake Superior Motorcycle Tour. I was very fortunate to ride with her on this trip around the lake. I was, and still am, inspired by her feisty spirit; her sweet, tender soul; and her amazing zest for life. What a welcome addition to Heaven. Enjoy your life ever after! I will think of you often.
Alison Saugen
October 6, 2004
I have shared this story with a few of you but would like to share it again. A little over two years my best friend passed away. Grief stricken and angry I looked to a very wise woman to find peace. She told me that god must have thought that Pam was sooo special that he needed her in heaven to be an angel... And that this person would be with us always but in simple ways... This wise woman was Judy... I love her as if she was my mother, friend, and mentor.. She has forever made me a better woman and I am blessed to have had her in my life....
Chris and Chris Larsen
October 6, 2004
It was an honor to know Judy. She was a warm, witty, and outgoing lady, who made everyone feel great. She was always thinking of others and put their needs before her own. She will be missed.
Amanda Schanus
October 6, 2004
Judy was a beautiful person, and I feel so blessed to have had her in my life. She was an inspiration. I am thankful that she can be out of pain now, and at peace.
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