Judy Kocis

Judy RoJean (Severson) Kocis, 77, died on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Sanford Health, Bismarck. A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 E Ave C, Bismarck. There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place.

Born on October 6, 1942, Judy was the second child of Robert and Alvena (Schmidt) Severson. She grew up in Fessenden, ND, where she attended school and graduated in 1960.

She attended Minot State Teachers College, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 1964. She continued at MSTC as a student in the first class to receive a master’s degree in Speech Pathology in the spring of 1965.

Her first professional position was as a speech clinician at schools in Pierce County, ND, from 1965 to 1969. In 1969, she began working in several schools in the Bismarck Public School System, with the majority of her years at Dorothy Moses Elementary School. This was her true calling because she loved working with children.

Judy was united in marriage to Albert Kocis on June 16, 1979. This union brought two sons into her life, Todd and Lance. They enriched her life as did her precious grandchildren – Braden, Hunter and Bailey.

She was passionate about volunteering and serving others. Her active leadership roles enabled her to establish and sustain service goals in church groups, Alpha Delta Kappa sorority, Study Club, Retired Teacher groups and Doll Club. We are all better people because of this creative, compassionate, generous, selfless, kind and loving person, who could never say “no,” touched our lives.

Judy will be deeply missed by her husband, Albert; sons, Todd and Lance; grandchildren, Braden, Hunter and Bailey; brother, Gene (LeAnn) Severson; sister, Joan (Bob) Breyer; niece, Mary Beth Cance and sons Harrison and Hunter; and nephew, Tony Breyer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, we will honor Judy’s wishes that your generosity through memorials will be directed to Faith Lutheran Church, ADK Scholarship Fund, and other charities that she faithfully supported.

“Well done, my good and faithful servant.” -Matthew 25:23