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Judy A. Elder, 72, Bismarck, died June 15, 2017. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 22, at Church of the Ascension, Bismarck. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bismarck Funeral Home with prayer service and rosary at 7 p.m.

Judy Ann Keller was born Nov. 8, 1944, to Walter and Katie Keller in Bismarck. She grew up on the family farm north of Beulah. Judy married Ralph Ballensky on Dec. 14, 1963. Together they had one daughter, Alice. Ralph preceded her in death April of 1968.

On July 7, 1972, Judy married Wilbur Elder in Beulah. At that time Judy became a mom to three more children and a family of six moved to a small three-bedroom trailer while their new home was being built on Fair Street in Beulah. Kimberly was born to Judy and Wilbur, completing their family.

Judy loved to cook, working at area restaurants and schools throughout her career. She passed her love of cooking on to her family and friends. Her specialty dishes will be missed by many.

She is survived by her husband, Wilbur, Mandan; her son, Wade (Susan), Watford City; her daughters, Belinda Schaff, Bismarck, Debra (Rick) Hebert, New Richmond, Wis., Alice (Kim) Grinsteinner, Hazen and Kimberly (Terry) Wynes, Bothell, Wash. Judy was also a proud grandmother of 18 grandchildren and their spouses and eight great-grandchildren, with one who will miss meeting her great-grandmother. In addition to her husband, children and their families, Judy is survived by her siblings, Ivan (Irma) Keller, Violet Schnaidt, and Larry (Kathy) Keller; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Katie; her first husband, Ralph Ballensky; and her granddaughter, Nikita Grinsteinner.