Geraldine Ruth Judson Hackens, age 101, went to be with her Lord and Savior September 8, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home.
Gerri was born August 3, 1917 to Lucius “Bud” and Ruth (Work) Judson at the family home on the southside of Elk Creek. Her early years were spent happily with her brothers, LaVern & Ralph and sisters, Vera & Kathleen. Gerri attended Red Top grade school and graduated from New Underwood High School in 1936. She married Veryl Hackens on December 20, 1936, whom she had grown up with and attended school. After they were first married they lived in the house Gerri was born in, south of Elk Creek. They moved in 1938 east of Viewfield where their son Monty was born. In 1941 they moved north of Viewfield where son, Donnie and daughter, Karen were born. They moved to the Good Samaritan Center in 2008 where they celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary, shortly before Veryl's death in 2009.
Gerri enjoyed hunting with Veryl, camping and hiking with her family, sewing, reading, and especially studying her bible. She loved to bake and always had something sweet sitting on the counter. Also, she worked side by side with Veryl doing field work and chores. In the 60's she drove her Volkswagen around the community selling Avon, and they also were rural mail carriers for the Viewfield, Enning, and Hay Draw communities.
Gerri's relationship with the Lord was very important to her. She and her husband accepted Christ as their Savior in 1937. It would be the single most defining step of their lives and they stayed close to the Lord in their daily living. Gerri was a member of the Viewfield Community Church in which she was very active teaching Sunday school and directing the children's choir. Gerri also started several bible studies in the area. Later she was a member of the Bible Fellowship Church in Rapid City. Gerri devoted herself to more Bible learning via a correspondence course. Birthday celebrations were very special to her. In 2017 she celebrated her 100th with a huge party and many family, friends and neighbors attended from various states. She always looked forward to the Judson family reunion each year where she would visit with all of her special cousins and family.
She is survived by her children; Monty (Barbara) Hackens, Rapid City, Donnie (Bonnie) Hackens, New Underwood, Karen (Jim) Madsen, New Underwood, her 9 grandchildren; Doug Hackens, Dan Hackens, Dustin Hackens, Eric (Nicole) Hackens, Bryan Hackens (fiance Sally Ramos), Wendy (Gale) Bruns, Jamie (Chet) Covey, Kara (Nichols) Caspers, Travis (Nena) Madsen and 12 great grandchildren; Bradley (fiance Kylie Pischke), Zach, Abby Covey, Kassidy, Tessa, Jessica, Elizabeth Caspers, Dalton, Emma, Trevor Madsen, Logan and Madison Hackens, sister, Kathleen Boland, sister-in-law, Lois Stinson and many neices, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucius and Ruth Judson; husband, Veryl; one sister, Vera Kelso; two brothers, LaVern and Ralph Judson; grandson, Veryl LaVern Hackens.
Visitation will be from 4-6 on Friday, September 14, at Kirk Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10:00 Saturday, September 15, at Kirk Funeral Home. Interment will be at Viewfield Community Cemetery. A memorial has been established to Rainbow Bible Ranch.