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     Judy C. Johnston, 77, of Groton, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen.  

     Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 20, 2017, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 214 7th Avenue SW, Aberdeen, with Pastor Josiah Fitch and Pastor Samuel Bobby officiating.  

     Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.  

     Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, at the mortuary, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

     Judy Caroline Rux was born at home on February 12, 1940, to Emil and Myrtle (Johnson) Rux.  She was the eighth of thirteen children.  Judy graduated from Central High School in Aberdeen in 1958.

     On November 2, 1959, Judy was united in marriage to Leland Johnston in Aberdeen.  They moved briefly to Spearfish, SD, before moving back to Aberdeen and then finally settling down with their four children on a farm in Groton.  

     Judy’s working career included being employed at Siebrecht Florist, Beadle Floral and Nursery, Pantorium Cleaners, Diamond Cleaners, and the federal courthouse, all in Aberdeen.

     In her spare time, Judy loved to bowl, garden, crochet, bake, and read.  Her greatest joy, however, was spending time with her family.  Judy especially loved babysitting her great-grandchildren.

     Judy is survived by daughters, Kim (Ken) Gillespie of Aberdeen and Kristi (Harley) Hieb of Watertown; sons, David Johnston of Groton and Donald Johnston of Groton (now stationed in Bangkok, Thailand); grandchildren:  Chad (Sarah) Johnston of Florence, KY, Sarah (Brad) Tewksbury of Groton, Andrea Gillespie and fiancé Taylor Porro of Concord, NH, Hope (Aaron) Brudvig of Aberdeen, Trevor Hieb of Watertown and April (Jaccob) Sargent of Groton; great-grandchildren:  Trevor, Jacob, Brooklyn, Owen, Greyson, and Evelyn; siblings:  Forest (Marlys) Rux, Travis (Therese) Rux, Thomas (Kathy) Rux, Marcia (Del) Preszler, Deliah Williams, Rose Rux, and Roger (Audrey) Remein; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and her life-long friend, Rose Swearingen.

     Judy is preceded in death by her husband, Leland; parents, Emil and Myrtle; seven siblings:  Beverly, Veda, Roberta, Foressta, John, Robert, and Delmer; sisters-in-law, Beverly and Liz; brothers-in-law:  Frank, Vince, Duane, Charles, Telford, and Jerome; mother-in-law, Gladys; father-in-law, Wilfred; one nephew, Charles Paul; and four nieces:  Cheryl, Ellen, Diane, and Susanne.

     Casket bearers are her grandsons:  Chad Johnston, Trevor Hieb, Brad Tewksbury, Aaron Brudvig, Jaccob Sargent; and great-grandson, Trevor Hansen.