Obituary for Judy Leidholm
Judith Ann (Haralson) Leidholm, 76, of Clinton, WA, passed away peacefully and on her terms early in the morning of August 18, 2022, with her beloved husband by her side.
She was born to the late Elvin and Anna Mae (Furman) Haralson on July 17, 1946, in Port Townsend, WA. A lifelong resident of Clinton, she grew up on Deer Lake Road with her two sisters and graduated from Langley High School in 1964. Judy worked various jobs, but her favorites were working at the Clinton Nursery and she spent 13 years as a teacher’s aide for the South Whidbey School District.
On November 5, 1966, Judy married Larry Leidholm at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The young newlyweds spent their honeymoon at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. Soon after their marriage, Larry was sent to Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat and returned home. In 1969, daughter Nicole was born, followed by son Matthew in 1971.
Judy had an exceptional green thumb, evident in the flower beds around the family home. She could make anything grow, and she loved being able to cut and dry her lavender in the fall or make bouquets with the various flowers that bloomed during the spring/summer.
Sunshine made her happy, so it made sense that she and Larry spent a handful of winters in Hawaii before buying a place in Apache Junction, AZ. They spent at least ten winters enjoying the desert life with friends that also wintered in Arizona. She was a bit of a rockhound and had fun discovering all the desert offered. She loved sitting in the winter sun reading a book, crocheting, or visiting with friends. Many summers when the kids were young included family fishing trips and beachcombing to Seiku and Neah Bay, camping in Eastern Washington at Lake Curlew or Conconully, and spending time at the Potholes near Moses Lake.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents as well as her in-laws, Ralph & Doris Leidholm. She is survived by her husband of almost 56 years, Larry; their children Nikki (Austin) Carter of Clinton, WA, and Matt (David) of Palm Springs, CA. She also leaves behind her two grandsons who were a source of great pride and joy, Colton Sterba of Kirkland and Austin Sterba (Kylayna) of Clinton. Judy is also survived by her sisters Nancy (Pat) of Langley and Sherri of Coupeville, sisters-in-law Priscilla of Hemet, CA, and Nancy (Doug) of Greenbank, WA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Per her wishes, there will be a private gathering for family and close friends to celebrate her life in the coming months. The family will spread Judy’s ashes around the family property and in some of her favorite places, including the beaches on Whidbey to the shores of Hawaii and the Arizona desert.
She was born to the late Elvin and Anna Mae (Furman) Haralson on July 17, 1946, in Port Townsend, WA. A lifelong resident of Clinton, she grew up on Deer Lake Road with her two sisters and graduated from Langley High School in 1964. Judy worked various jobs, but her favorites were working at the Clinton Nursery and she spent 13 years as a teacher’s aide for the South Whidbey School District.
On November 5, 1966, Judy married Larry Leidholm at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The young newlyweds spent their honeymoon at Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. Soon after their marriage, Larry was sent to Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat and returned home. In 1969, daughter Nicole was born, followed by son Matthew in 1971.
Judy had an exceptional green thumb, evident in the flower beds around the family home. She could make anything grow, and she loved being able to cut and dry her lavender in the fall or make bouquets with the various flowers that bloomed during the spring/summer.
Sunshine made her happy, so it made sense that she and Larry spent a handful of winters in Hawaii before buying a place in Apache Junction, AZ. They spent at least ten winters enjoying the desert life with friends that also wintered in Arizona. She was a bit of a rockhound and had fun discovering all the desert offered. She loved sitting in the winter sun reading a book, crocheting, or visiting with friends. Many summers when the kids were young included family fishing trips and beachcombing to Seiku and Neah Bay, camping in Eastern Washington at Lake Curlew or Conconully, and spending time at the Potholes near Moses Lake.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents as well as her in-laws, Ralph & Doris Leidholm. She is survived by her husband of almost 56 years, Larry; their children Nikki (Austin) Carter of Clinton, WA, and Matt (David) of Palm Springs, CA. She also leaves behind her two grandsons who were a source of great pride and joy, Colton Sterba of Kirkland and Austin Sterba (Kylayna) of Clinton. Judy is also survived by her sisters Nancy (Pat) of Langley and Sherri of Coupeville, sisters-in-law Priscilla of Hemet, CA, and Nancy (Doug) of Greenbank, WA, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Per her wishes, there will be a private gathering for family and close friends to celebrate her life in the coming months. The family will spread Judy’s ashes around the family property and in some of her favorite places, including the beaches on Whidbey to the shores of Hawaii and the Arizona desert.