Judith Sickels Larson

HAMILTON - Judy Sickels Larson died May 28, 2015, while at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital in Hospice care. Judy was born March 20, 1941, in Hamilton to Homer and Olive Sickels. The family moved to Bremerton, WA, where her father worked in the Naval yard during World War II. The family subsequently moved to Okanagan, WA, and then to Circle, MT. A final move took the Sickels family to Missoula while Judy was in the first grade.
Judy received her education in Missoula, graduating from Missoula County High School in 1959. She enrolled in the University of Montana where she majored in Elementary Education, graduating in 1963.
While a student at the university Judy met Charley Larson and they were married in 1963, a week after graduation. Her first teaching position was at Cold Springs School where she taught for three years. Charley and Judy adopted daughter Jill in 1966. The family then moved to Arlee where they both taught. In 1967, another move brought them to Hamilton where Judy took a position with the Hamilton School District, and son John joined the family. Judy served the students of Hamilton for more than thirty years at Washington Elementary, Daly Elementary, and Grantsdale Elementary schools.
She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church where she served in a variety of positions, not the least of which was as a founder (along with Carol Graham) of the church's traditional Scandinavian Dinner. She was a member of Sons of Norway, the University of Montana Alumni Association, and a past member of PEO.
Judy is survived by her husband, Charley, a daughter Jill (Mike) Turley of Hamilton, son John (Flora) Larson of Hermiston, Oregon, grandchildren Vanessa (Brad) Lindley, Dennise Larson, Lance Corporal Jonathan Larson, Justin Bourne, Jessica Bourne, Ryan Turley, Mathew Turley, and great grandchildren Hunter and Savannah Lindley. She is also survived by her sisters Carol (Hale) Williams of Missoula and Sandie Sickels of Arizona as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Judy's family would like to thank the caregivers of Sapphire Lutheran Homes Remington Memory Lane facility, Marcus Daly Hospice Center and Dr. Kathi Harder-Brouwer for the special care that she received during the past few months.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Faith Lutheran Church, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice Center, or Sapphire Lutheran Homes/Remington's Memory Lane or a charity of the donor's choice.