Judy Sturma

Judith Grace Sturma left this world on July 8, 2023 in Grand Forks, ND with her loving husband at her side.

Judy was born in Oakes, ND on May 26, 1944 to Reuben and Vivian Ulmer. She graduated from Fullerton High School in 1962 and attended Wahpeton State School of Science. She married Gregory Sturma on a beautiful sunny day, December 15, 1962. Greg and Judy resided in Fullerton until 1969, they lived in Oakes until 1972, and Pennsylvania until 1975 when they returned to North Dakota to be closer to family and resided in Cavalier until moving to Grand Forks, ND in 2023.

In her day, Judy was a champion softball player and a very talented artist. She worked in the Cavalier Dental office until taking a risk in the mid 80’s when both her and Greg quit their full-time jobs to become professional crafters, traveling the country to sell Judy’s hand-painted creations. When she wasn’t crafting, Judy, a master gardener, loved to spend hours in her beautiful garden, a visit was never complete without a tour of her beloved flower beds. She also loved to bake, especially with her grandchildren. There was always a pan of bars on the counter and the smell of fresh baked bread in the kitchen. Holiday meals were a culinary extravaganza, and her cheesecake, a dream come true. Judy always appreciated a good mystery novel and a challenging crossword. Recently, she enjoyed volunteering at the local thrift shop where she loved spending her afternoons visiting with friends and using her creativity to display the donations within the shop.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of sixty years, Greg, daughter Jodi (Craig) Drengson of Reiles Acres, ND, five grandchildren, Cassandra (Casey) Hobus of East Grand Forks, MN, Christopher (Vanessa) Lawonn of Cavalier, ND, Nicholas Lawonn of Grand Forks, ND, Isabella & Rowan Drengson, eight great-grandchildren Masen, Rylee, Asher, Hallie, Sawyer, Aiden, Layla, & Henley. Brother Larry Ulmer, and sister Crystal (Bruce) Klein.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Jeanne Glynn & Connie Gramlow, and her daughter Diana Davis.

A visitation for Judy will be held Thursday, July 13th from 5-7pm at Jensen-Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier, ND. Funeral Service will be at 2 pm, Friday July 14th at United Lutheran Church in Cavalier, ND.