Judy Knosalla

Judy Kaye Knosalla passed away on July 22, 2026, in Little Falls following two years of pulmonary fibrosis. She was number 8 of 9 children born to Theodore and E. Frances Negaard in St. Cloud on March 8, 1948.

Judy graduated in 1966 from Tech High School. She went on to work in the banking industry in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Staples. While working at Northwest Bank in St. Cloud, she met the love of her life, Larry Knosalla. They married on June 24, 1972. After Larry graduated from college, while working at DeZurik, they started their family. Amy was born in 1975, Kari was born in 1977, and after moving to Staples to start a new business in 1978, Penny was born in 1979.

Judy enjoyed crafting as a young mother, making dresses and costumes for her girls, who were her pride and joy! She loved to shop, especially for others. She also spent many years teaching Sunday School at Bethlehem (St. Cloud) and Faith Lutheran (Staples) churches. Before retiring, she faithfully served as secretary at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Wadena) for twenty years.

She cherished every grandbaby, snuggling them close in her rocking chair, and as they grew, loved spending time blowing bubbles, doing puzzles, and playing games- especially cards!

Judy is survived by her devoted husband, Larry; daughters: Amy (Mike) Verlennich, Kari (Adam) Judd, and Penny (Steve) Statema; grandchildren: Nikolas, Izak, Gabrielle, Izabella, Jediah, Judah, Ezra, Anastasia, Zebulun, Zofia, Elijah, Eliya, Enoch, Elizabeth, Ariella, Eleanor, Noah, Hanna, Emma, and Laura, and one great-grandchild; brother: Roger (Gail) Negaard; sisters: Joyce Baird, Janell (George) Sweet; sisters-in-law: Pat Negaard, Joan Negaard, Linda (Ed) Stamper, LuAnn Miller, and Bunee Amble.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Ken (Patty), Jim, Ron (Phyllis), Gary, and David Negaard; brother-in-law: Bill Baird; grandsons: Samuel Judd and Joseph Verlennich.

A celebration of life service will be held on August 10 at Faith Lutheran Church (430 12th St NE, Staples) at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Stephen Meltzer officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior at 10:00 a.m., and a meal will be served following the service. Interment will take place at MN State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley at 3:00 p.m. Those who knew Judy will remember her good nature, cheerful smile, caring heart, and dedication to her family and friends. Her thoughtful deeds leave many treasured memories. While her presence in this life will be deeply missed, Judy’s love and legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.