Jay D. Mondry, born to Leo and Marion Mondry on May 4, 1939, in Grand Forks, ND, passed away on July 10, 2024, in Park Rapids, MN.
He grew up on the family farm in Ardoch, ND and graduated from St. James High School in Grand Forks in 1957. Jay played basketball in high school and developed a lifelong love of sports. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in political science in 1961. On September 2 of that same year, he married Judy Trueblood, his high school sweetheart. Together they had their three oldest children during Jay’s three years of law school at the University of North Dakota. Upon Jay’s graduation in 1964, they moved to Wadena, MN where they had their fourth child before relocating to Park Rapids, MN where he and Judy made their home and raised their family.
He practiced law successfully in Park Rapids for 26 years, including two stints as Hubbard County attorney. Jay also served three consecutive terms as Hubbard County district judge from 1990 to 2006.
Jay maintained a passion for sports throughout his life. His two main interests were Notre Dame Fighting Irish football and University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey. Hundreds of weekends were spent attending games with his best friend R Jon Fitzner whom he met in law school. Together they attended numerous NCAA Frozen Fours and countless Sioux hockey games across the upper Midwest.
An avid outdoorsman, Jay hunted elk, moose, geese, pheasant and ducks across North America. He enjoyed fishing at Lake of the Woods and made multiple trips to Alaska for salmon and halibut fishing. He particularly loved deer hunting near home at his land known as the Savannah Hilton.
Jay was a dedicated advocate for the community of Park Rapids and beyond. He committed many hours to community service roles including chairman or president positions with Ducks Unlimited (which he helped found), Lions Club and Hubbard County Park Board where he helped develop the Heartland Trail project. After several teaching trips to Poland, he founded North Country Charity Group to provide financial assistance for a children’s orphanage there.
In retirement Jay enjoyed time at his Florida house but remained deeply connected to North Dakota and Park Rapids communities as well as Fish Hook Lake.
A lifelong Catholic except during his time at UND Law School where he endowed the Mondry Family Scholarship in 2004; Jay was an active member of St Peter's Catholic parish for over five decades serving as chairman for major fundraising drives benefiting St Peter's community significantly.
Preceded by wife Judy after marriage lasting sixty-one years; survived by children Matt (Roxanne) Grand Rapids MN Marty (Kevin) Grote Cottage Grove MN Amy Milwaukee WI Tony Portland OR grandchildren Heidi Katie Nathan Jordan Katelin great-grandchildren Mila Watson Louis Nora Penny Daisy siblings Joan Lynn Gilbertson Joel Connie Jared Joyce Frison Jane Judd Jackie Paul Welle Jeff many other relatives friends
Visitation funeral Monday July twenty-second St Peter Apostle Catholic Church Park Rapids MN visitation noon-1:00 pm funeral immediately following
Complete obituary available online: https://www.ceasefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Jay-D-Mondry?obId=32325743#/obituaryInfo