Jody Ridgway, 58, of Gregory, SD passed away Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.  Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 AM Friday, November 19, 2021 at Holy Family Catholic Church.  Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Will Funeral Chapel with a Rosary at 6:30 PM.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Jody was born on October 26th, 1963 in Wessington Springs, SD to Ed and Sharon (Clark) Ridgway, the 4th of 8 children. Around 1 year after her birth, Jody moved to Platte, SD with her family. Jody graduated from Platte High School in 1981 and went on to study at Mitchell Vo-Tech to become a lab technician. After an internship in Sturgis, Jody joined Gregory Hospital in September of 1982 as a full time lab technician. Later on in her career she would go on to become a certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT). Jody spent her entire professional career at Gregory Hospital. Due to complications from a stroke, Jody resigned her position at the end of 2015, but she kept in touch with the many friends she made there. Those friendships she would cherish until her passing.

Jody was known as a kind, loving, and generous person. There wasn't a Girl Scout she wouldn't buy cookies from, a fundraiser she wouldn't support, or a friend/family member in need she wouldn't help. After her brother was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, she helped to support a Relay for Life event in Gregory in 2013 to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Promoting causes for cancer research remained a passion for her until her passing. Jody also never forgot a birthday or anniversary and was always ready with a thoughtful and heartwarming gift.

Anyone who knew Jody well knew she had many passions in her life. She loved going to the movies and eating buttered popcorn, going to concerts, watching Hallmark Christmas movies, Hallmark ornaments, baking, reading, crocheting, handing out candy on Halloween, and cheering on the Minnesota Vikings, in both good times and bad. She enjoyed traveling, making memorable trips to New York City, San Antonio, the Ozarks, San Diego, and Italy. She enjoyed coming to Mitchell and spending time with her childhood friends Tami and Noretta as well as Connie, her close friend from Mitchell Vo-Tech, but her biggest passion was her nieces and nephews. She loved going to school concerts, plays, sporting events, and cheer/dance competitions. Whatever her nieces and nephews were participating in, she would make every effort to be there to cheer them on and was always there for them when they needed her.

But perhaps what Jody will be most known and admired for is her strength. She went through many challenges in her young life and overcame many of them by sheer stubbornness and force of will. From being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in her early twenties to two kidneys transplants, a pancreas transplant, and a stroke, she overcame more obstacles than others much older than her. When after her stroke the doctors told her she wouldn't walk again without a walker, she worked hard to prove them wrong and soon the walker was collecting dust in her closet. Jody's resilience and strength were unmatched and unrivaled. She was a true force of nature.

Grateful to have shared Jody's life are her parents Ed and Sharon Ridgway of Mitchell. Sisters Lynn (Joe) Klein of Gregory, Cheryl (Larry) Dalldorf of Kimball, and Robin Ridgway of Mitchell. Brothers Chuck Ridgway of Sioux Falls, Clark Ridgway of Fargo, ND, and Jeff Ridgway of Mitchell. Others grateful to have been a part of Jody's life are her sister-in-law Janell Ridgway of Mitchell. Her niece Erin (Tyler) Davis of Rapid City. Nephews Randy (Catherine) Klein of Gregory, Tony Klein of Gregory, Matt Klein of Sioux Falls, Tim Dalldorf of Pierre, Derek Ridgway of Brandon, and Jacob Ridgway of Vermillion. Also grateful are grandnieces Keeley Klein of Brookings, Morgan Klein of Marshall, MN, Kaydence Klein of Gregory, Bristol Davis of Rapid City, grandnephew Jacob Klein of Gregory, honorary grandnieces and nephews Hailie and AJ Lutt of Gregory, Angel Lee of Hong Kong, China, Thomas Miliam of Copenhagen, Denmark, and her kidney donor, Sanna Fast. And last but not least, her treasured Yorkie, Lilah Jane.

Jody was preceded in death by her younger brother Allen Ridgway, both her maternal and paternal grandparents, six aunts, four uncles, one cousin, and Daisy Mae, her beloved first dog.