Jewel Maxine (Halgrimson) Suddreth entered her heavenly home on January 10, 2025 in Tioga, ND. She was born July 5, 1925 to Oscar and Esther (Schroeder) Halgrimson in McGregor, ND.

Jewel was active in her church, school, 4-H, and in the many creative games and activities of a small town.
After graduating from McGregor High School in 1943, she attended an Aeronautical School in Minneapolis, MN and then was employed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration as an Aircraft Communicator. She was stationed in Atlanta, GA, Memphis, TN, Meridian, MS and Pensacola, FL. In Meridian she joined with friends and purchased a small airplane and earned her pilots license, one of her goals.

In Pensacola, while on duty, she had radio contact with a Naval Aviator, John (Jack) Suddreth who was stationed there and later contacted her, Jack was from Montana which was like meeting a neighbor with familiar interests. That relationship grew into a serious romance and they were married on August 17, 1947.

With Jack making a career of the U.S. Navy many moves to various areas were required. While on duty at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in NY, on the 25th of December 1951 they welcomed a special Christmas gift, a baby girl. They named her Kim Ardella. Then, nine years later, while on duty at Pt Magu, CA they chose a baby boy to be their son. He was named Jon (Kit) Christopher.

Jewel stayed active and involved with Girl Scouts, 4-H, and Sunday School. She attended classes at the University of Kansas, while her husband was assigned there. She worked at several schools as a Teacher’s aide, Secretary and Library Assistant and while living in Denver, CO she was a Forms Draftman and Coordinator for a credit card company.
Following Jack’s retirement they moved to McGregor, ND in 1985. Jewel continued to be active in the church, community and Beta Sigma Phi. When her father retired she opened an Antique and Collectibles shop in his hardware building which she operated for 15 years.

One of Jewel’s favorite things was to have her immediate family and her extended family to come for a visit. Several family reunions were held at her home.

Jewel is survived by her daughter, Kim and son-in-law, Danny Aldrich; her son, Kit; 2 grandsons, Cole and Cade (Lisa) Aldrich; 2 great granddaughters, Raelyn Aldrich and Zoe Hinsley; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years; her parents; her sister, Ardella and husband, Eathen Miller; her brother, Ellis Owen and wife, Kathy; her mother-in-law, Lillian Breeding; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial Contribution