Judith Ann Redding, 1945-2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Dec 27, 2021 | 2:19 PM / 537 views
On Thursday, December 23, 2021, Judith Ann Redding, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 76.
Judy was born on November 21, 1945 in Britton, SD to Arthur and Gladys (Schmidt) Schock. She grew up living the farm life and had an independent spirit from early on. Legend has it, as a little girl, she once left home on her tricycle without permission. When her mom found her, she chased Judy down the middle of the gravel road, honking the horn all the way home.
Judy graduated from Ellendale High School in 1963. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Ellendale State Teachers College in 1967 with a teaching degree and physical education minor. Judy shared her school spirit as both a high school and college cheerleader.
Judy taught business and PE in Linton, Forbes, Stanley, Veblen, and Ipswich. She also loved to coach cheerleading, dance, and even had some of her own award-winning jitterbug moves.
On August 3, 1968, a very hot summer day, she married Bruce V. Redding. Together they raised two daughters, Jody and Ginger.
For 26 years, people would enjoy Judy’s smiling face, silly jokes, infectious laughter, and a little mischief when they visited the Wells Fargo bank in Mobridge. She was involved in her community, volunteering for chamber events, the local Beef ‘n Fun celebrations, and many 4th of July Sitting Bull Stampedes over the years.
Judy also loved to sing. Whether with her college folk group, the Bridgeadaires, or singing tenor in the church choir, she loved to harmonize and sing as loud as she could.
Even on the day she passed peacefully, she was still giving those around her a hard time. When a nurse came to her room to take her for a “little ride” (to a CT Scan), she said, “Good, take me to California.”
Despite growing up and living in the Dakotas her whole life, Judy loved being warm (keeping the thermostat set at a balmy 80+ degrees). Although she was always cold, she would just put on a cozy sweatshirt, her signature retirement attire, and watch her favorite TV shows, like Johnny Carson, M*A*S*H, or a Hallmark movie. She was never too cold for a “swig” of cold beer or a supper date out with her husband to a local restaurant such as the Moose Lodge.
Judy was preceded in death by her father, Art, and her mother, Gladys. She is survived by her husband Bruce, her two daughters, Jody (Chad) Taylor and Ginger (Heath) Ewing, her sister Peggy (Steve) Wilke, and ten grandchildren, Cameron & Carson Quigley, Aspen & Jordan Taylor, and Rebecca, Amelia, Daniel, Zachary, Charles, & Evelyn Ewing.
Judy’s funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the United Church of Christ in Mobridge, SD at 10:00 am. A livestream will be available at Mobridge UCC Facebook page.
