Judith Diann McKown, 84, died on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at her home near Fourtown, MN.

On September 20, 1938, Judith was born at home to Niilo and Lucille (Burthart) Jokela in Minnie Township, MN. Before moving to Crookston for high school, she attended elementary school near Fourtown, MN. They moved to Minneapolis, MN, where she met her first husband (William Tate) at 17. They were blessed with two children—Michael and Kimberly. She married Ray McKown in 1965 and was married until his passing in 2001.

In 1965, Ray and Judith moved to Chicago, where Ray worked as Vice President for Booth Fisheries until he and Judith opened Ray McKown Associates. Ray was a Marketing Consultant, and he hired specialists to come into the office to help Judith learn to run the business. Judith handled 42 different Brokerage paperwork, money, computer operation, and background work to keep the business moving. Judith also had a seamstress business that catered to business clients' suit repairs. This lasted until Ray McKown Associates began growing.

In 1996, they moved to Fourtown, where they could work from home. Ray died in 2001 and is buried at Lone Oak Cemetery. On August 3, 2008, she was united in marriage to Jerome Zavoral at St. Clements Catholic Church, Grygla, MN. Judith worked on the Minnie Township Council—her family was on the city board for over 100 years. Ray and Judith also helped the township update Lone Oak Cemetery and get signs and other items for the township.

Judith was a caring, helpful, conscientious person who loved being with others. She was an outdoor country girl with Hollywood Lights in her eyes. Playing bowling, softball, tennis, and golfing were things she liked to do. Gardening and canning the produce was meaningful to her. Judith enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling with Jerome, and spending winters in Florida for 12 years. Judith lived an exciting and wonderful life. She will be remembered with loving hearts.

Judith is survived by: her husband, Jerome "Bud" Zavoral, Grygla, MN; children, Michael Tate, Minneapolis, MN, and Kimberly (Monty) Hayes, Crystal Lake, IL; grandchildren: Niilo (Emily) Hayes, Hawaii, Caleb (Courtney) Hayes, Texas, and Kyle Hayes, Chicago; one great-grandson, Benjamin Hayes; several cousins, nephews, and nieces.

She is preceded by her parents, husbands, William and Ray, and siblings, Neal Jokela, Dick Jokela, and Jeanne Lach.

Memorial Services will be held 11 AM Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at St. Clement's Catholic Church, Grygla, MN.

Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Burial will follow lunch at Lone Oak Cemetery, Fourtown, MN.