Judy G. Mason

Judy Wilcox was born on April 28, 1941, to Jake and Lois Wilcox. In her early childhood, they lived in a humble farmhouse near Grantsburg, Wisconsin, which she dubbed The Little House on the Prairie. There were only 4 rooms in the house and no indoor plumbing. Days were often spent with her close friend/uncle, Tony, and her brother, Ricky. In the evenings, she loved to listen to her dad play the harmonica.

When Judy was 12, the family moved to Sunrise, Minnesota and later to Harris.

She met John Mason at the Forest Lake roller rink when she was 17 years old. They were engaged 5 months later and on April 11, 1959, they eloped to Iowa. They kept the marriage a secret until Judy graduated from North Branch High School that June. The couple moved several times before settling in North Branch to raise their family. Judy was a stay-at-home mom to their 3 children – Carol, Karen, and John Jr. When John started school, Judy began her job as secretary to the superintendent of North Branch schools. She worked there for 25 years and made many lifelong friends.

John and Judy loved to travel and did so often with their children and later, their grandchildren. They traveled the country but always found their way back to Custer State Park in South Dakota.

In 1995, they moved to their new home on Rush Lake. It was there that Judy’s passion for gardening bloomed. She would spend countless hours tending to her numerous flower and vegetable gardens.

John and Judy spent many winters at their 2nd home in Edinburg, Texas. Judy had several aunts and uncles who also wintered there, and she enjoyed spending time with them.

Judy loved her family more than anything. The most difficult time in her life was when they lost their son, John, in 2012. She had a very close friendship with her girls – spending so much time playing board games, shopping, garage sales, and having weekend getaways.

Judy had a unique relationship with all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had a gift of making each one feel loved and special.

After 59 years of marriage, John passed away in 2018. Judy did well at home on her own, living independently until very recently. She passed away peacefully Thursday, August 21, 2025; with her daughters and oldest granddaughter beside her.

Judy was an amazing mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, and friend. She will be missed and loved forever.

Judy is survived by her daughters, Carol (Don) Ramberg and Karen (Mike) Knolls; grandchildren, Lisa (Steve), Matthew (Felecia), Jennifer, Shane (Lyndsay), Brandon (Dana), and Sara; great-grandchildren, Kylie, Kelsey, Sam, Lacey, Sophia, Ava, Elliott, Ray, Addy, Mason, Emily, Damion, Lucas, Cylus, and Karah; sister, Shari Wilcox; brothers, Don (Rachel) Wilcox, and Rick (Glenda) Wilcox.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, and her sister-in-law, Karen.

May her memory be a blessing.

Services for Judy; 11 AM Saturday, August 30, 2025 with a visitation 1 hour prior at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City.

Memorials may be directed to: Love Abides at www.LoveAbides.org

Funeral arrangements for Judy Mason are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel
www.FuneralAndCremationService.com