Judith Lewison

Judith Leone Alvira Lewison was born on March 21, 1920, in Granite Falls, MN, the daughter of George and Sally (Ruse) Knutson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and grew up in Granite Falls. She had eight brothers- Clair Allen, Clifford Llewellyn, Adrian, Virgil, Gale, George, David & Kent. On September 21, 1940, Judy was united in marriage to Howard A. Lewison and was a lifetime resident of Granite Falls. Judy was a gifted pianist, a talented artist and an excellent soloist. Often she would sing at weddings and community events, doing so well into her fifties. She was choir director many years for Saron Lutheran Church, was president of the Ladies Aide and superintendent of Sunday School until her fifth son, Dana John, became afflicted with a mental handicap caused by his immunizations in 1956. (This occurred after the FDA had approved the use of immunizations containing "live" cow virus). Many babies at that time were tragically left with neurological anomalies directly attributed to this medical error. Following Dana's unfortunate neurological affliction, Judy dedicated her life to caring for her son and becoming active in the community as an advocate for improved treatment for those children stricken with the same illness. She eventually became president of the local ARC, lobbying for day-care and other advantages for special needs children. Judy eventually became physically unable to care for Dana and was forced to place him in a state run facility. This heartache changed her life. She and Howard visited Dana in Cambridge, and then Willmar, and eventually Canby, doing so until Howard passed away in 2002. Her will to provide Dana with the best possible quality of life inevitably characterized Judy's overall persona and compassionate dedication to her son and all those requiring special care.For the past three years, Judy had been living at the Pine Island Nursing Home. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at this facility in the early morning hours of January 15, 2012, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was 91 years of age. Surviving family include her children- Jerry (& Joyce Luann) Lewison of Granite Falls, daughter Sally (& Bob) Engebretson of Katy TX; Dana John Lewison of Canby, and Linda (& Steve) Finnes of Pine Island; a daughter-in-law Betty Karsten Lewison of Maynard; son-in-law Bruce T. Klein; 17 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren and extended family. Preceding her in death were her parents; all of her siblings; her husband Howard; son Howard Lee Lewison (in 1997); daughter Lola Ann Klein (in 1996); great grandson Sullivan Lyden and a great granddaughter Kalianne Fandl (in 2002).