Judith "Judie" Ione Musgjerd

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Judith “Judie” Ione (Schroeder) Musgjerd of Plattsmouth, NE and Oro Valley, AZ was called to her Heavenly home July 29, 2023, following complications from an infected gall bladder.

Judie was born in Grand Forks, ND, on October 19, 1937, to Milton C. Schroeder and Lenore I. (Solum) Schroeder.  She is survived by her husband, William “Bill” A. Musgjerd, daughters Kathleen L Musgjerd, Thornton, CO; Susan M. Knapp (Lee), Port Orange, FL; Mary Beth “Betsy” Sittig (Brian), Sioux Falls, SD; and daughter-in-law Karen Musgjerd, Omaha, NE, widow of son Eric; grandchildren: Andrew Knapp (Jarah); Jeffrey Knapp (Megan); Elizabeth Rolenc (Bryce); Rebecca Sittig; Kaia Frenzel (Greg); and Kelsey Constant (Beau); sisters Beverly Hesser (Willis), Sioux Falls, SD; Mary Canakes, Pipestone, MN; and Marjorie Leigh, Grand Forks, ND and brothers and sisters-in-law David and Barbara Musgjerd, St. Germaine, WI and Wally and Mary Kaczmarski, Lisbon, ND. She was preceded in death by her son, Eric W. Musgjerd, her parents and her brother Warren Schroeder.

Judie grew up in Grand Forks, ND. She loved roller skating and ice skating, was active in youth activities at United Lutheran Church, sang in the choir at United and at Grand Forks Central HS, and was the star flute player in the Central HS band.  She also attended North Dakota Girls State.

Judie attended the University of North Dakota and in October 1955 she met Bill, her husband-to-be. One year later, on October 27, 1956, they were united in marriage at United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks.  At that point she became an Air Force wife, a title she would wear proudly and well the rest of her life.

Bill’s Air Force career took them to several cities in six states and one foreign nation. In each location Judie turned a house into a home and was active in church and community activities.  Their four children were born in different states:  Kathy in San Angelo, TX, Susan in Rome, NY, Eric in Anchorage, AK, and Betsy in Tucson, AZ.

With their fourth child they fulfilled the dream they had before they were married.

In April 1967 Bill left the family in Tucson for a one-year tour as an airborne forward air controller in Viet Nam, leaving Judie with four young children.  With loving help from family and friends Judie excelled in this role

Judie had several hobbies:  reading, listening to music (both live and recorded), creating greeting cards, and playing games on the computer – her favorite was Mah Jong.

She loved to travel and visited 25 foreign nations as well as most of the states in the United States Her favorite was Norway where the family lived for four years. She liked all forms of travel: ocean cruise ship, river cruise boat, tour bus or personal vehicle.  Just three months before her death she was cruising the South Pacific, visiting the islands of French Polynesia.

The Musgjerds moved to Plattsmouth, NE in 1977 and when Bill retired from the Air Force in 1986, they decided to remain there. Then, in 1997, Bill convinced Judie that they should purchase a home in Arizona and spend winters there. They have spent their winters in Oro Valley, AZ since then.

Judie was a member of First Lutheran Church, Plattsmouth and an associate member of Resurrection Lutheran Church, Oro Valley.

Judie had a special relationship with her mother-in-law, Margaret Musgjerd. Margaret was an important part of Judie’s life, and their mutual love was always evident.

Judie Musgjerd was an amazing woman who always put others ahead of herself. Her devotion to her husband and family and her love of God leave a memory which will never fade.

Visitation will take place at Harvey Funeral Home, Plattsmouth, on Wednesday, August 2 from 5-7pm.

The funeral will be held at First Lutheran Church, Plattsmouth, on Thursday, August 3 at 11am and will be livestreamed on the Harvey Funeral Home Facebook Page.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that any memorials be made to St. Croix Hospice or First Lutheran Church, Plattsmouth.

Arrangements by Brian P. Harvey Funeral Home, Plattsmouth, NE  402-296-4445