Judith Hanson

Judith Ann Hanson was born on May 19, 1937 to Donald Earl and Georgia Vina (Lau) Wolfe in St. Peter, Minnesota where she was raised and received her education. After graduating from St. Peter High School in 1955 she worked at the bank in St. Peter for a few months.  She then became a dispatcher for Minnegasco Gas Company (CenterPoint Energy) in Mankato, Minnesota. In 1998, after 43 years of dedicated service, Judith retired from Minnegasco and moved to Pipestone. 

Judith met Larry Monke at the Minnesota State Fair in 1955 when they were both attending as 4-H delegates, Judith from St. Peter, and Larry from Pipestone. They dated for a couple years, but life took them in separate directions. They reunited in 1982, and for the past 42 years Judith and Larry have been inseparable. Together they worked for PAB (Pipestone Area Breeders) hauling boar semen until she retired (again) in 2015 at the age of 78. Their love for traveling, camping, dancing, and attending as many Polka Fests as they possibly could, paled in comparison to the love they shared with each other. 

Judith was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Peter. She enjoyed sewing, bowling, riding motorcycle, playing cards, shaking dice and of course dancing with Larry. She was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary where she served as a past president, VFW Auxiliary where she also served as past president and Eagle's Club. 

Judith was admitted to the Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne, Minnesota where she passed away on May 29, 2024 at the age of 87.  

She is lovingly remembered by her life partner, Larry Monke of Pipestone, Minnesota; two brothers, James (Marla) Wolfe of East Grand Forks, North Dakota and Leonard (Delores) Wolfe of St. Peter, Minnesota; Larry's children, Kim (Roland) Wolff, Michelle (John) Rowback, Lori (Jason) Woelber and Kyle (Kim) Monke, all of Pipestone.  She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Lester Wolfe; and Larry's son, Kevin Monke.