Judith "Judy" Gooden

Judith Doreen (Johnson) Gooden passed peacefully on December 26th, 2025, at 75. She had called Walker, Minnesota, home for 25 years, where she lived with her husband Dave in her dream home next to Leech Lake. 

Harry and Mable Johnson gave birth to Judi and her twin brother Jerry, on November 13, 1950 in McVille, North Dakota. She and Jerry were the second youngest of 13 siblings and grew up in Petersberg, North Dakota. Judi had a caring heart and an incredible and undeniable work ethic, which she passed down to her three daughters, Tina, Tanya, and Tiffiney. 

Her smile was infectious, and her laughter will be remembered as a cornerstone of family events. She was never too far from the kitchen because the only thing she loved as much as her family was piling their plates high with food. Her personality could only be described as awesome, and she shared her awesomeness through jokes, warm hugs, and an optimistic outlook. 

Judi was and will always be the pinnacle of family, love, and fun. So many stories have and will be shared, which was always one of her favorite things to do. Oft were the evenings when she would be up late telling stories and filling rooms with her laughter. Even more so were the days, when we could hear her renditions of Patsy Cline, Doris Day, and more of her greatest hits list. 

Simply saying, “She will be missed,” does not do her life or memory justice. Her hugs, her laugh, and her food will be noticeable pieces missing from family gatherings, birthday parties, graduations, and anywhere we would expect her presence. However, we will honor her life by smiling through pain, laughing through sadness, and loving unconditionally as she had done for us so many times.  

Spouse Dave; Children: Tina, Tanya, and Tiffiney; Brothers: Art, Gary Wayne, and Jerry; Sisters: Donna, Avis, and Dianne; Grandchildren: Fred, Zack, Kamron, Justice, Sam, and Jacoby; Great grandchildren: Freddy, Charlie, Cason, Rowan, and Rosa Lee.

A celebration of life will be held from 10 AM to Noon on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Walker Area Community Center (WACC). There will also be a funeral service in Petersburg, North Dakota at the Lutheran Church at 11 AM on Saturday, January 10, 2026. 

Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, serving Northern Minnesota.

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