Judy Carlson

Judy Carlson, 83, of Revillo, SD, passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at her home near Revillo.

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Zoar Lutheran Church near Revillo, SD. Vicar Emelia Enquist will officiate. Judy's family asks that you wear a hat on Saturday as a way to honor Judy and her love of hats. 

Judy Carlson was born on February 17, 1941, on the same farm where she passed away peacefully on July 17, 2024. After graduating from Revillo High School, Judy got a degree in nursing and practiced in Madison Minnesota. She owned a successful clothing consignment business for several years, “Worth Repeating” in Watertown SD. Many summers were spent working at the Big Country fireworks stand on the corner of 212. Judy retired from driving a Grant-Deuel school bus after more than 25 years and countless miles of keeping kids in line using only her deep, strong voice. She never tolerated back-talk, loud noise or bullying on her bus.

Judy was smart, funny, feisty and didn’t care about most material things, except hats. She loved sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings. She loved the game of golf and even co-hosted an annual golf tournament on the farm, fondly known as “The Tuna Can Open”. No club was safe with her unless it hit the ball straight and long.

Some of her favorite things were: Zoar Lutheran Church, singing, stitching quilts, the “Mission sale”, playing cards, crossword puzzles, mowing lawn, building decks, drinking ridiculously strong coffee, rolling her own cigarettes, listening to Fox news and always, always wearing a hat.

She was so happy living on her cherished farm, knowing she took good care of the family home where all were welcome to come visit over a cup of coffee.

Judy is survived by her two daughters, Jodi Carlson (Phil) and Tami Breidinger (Jay), sisters Donna Erickson and Jeanie Ness (Jim); brothers Curt and Phil Toft (Donna), and four granddaughters, Alexandra Wright (Wesley), Paige Breidinger, Katherine Sipos and Olivia Breidinger, as well as countless hats and 33 dickies. She is preceded in death by her parents Marion and Pierson Toft and brother Alden.

Written by Judy's beloved family.