Judith Gerdts Ripley

Judith Gerdts Ripley

- - Judith Gerdts Ripley, attorney and former Director of the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, Director of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, and a Sagamore of the Wabash, cherished mother, grandmother and great grandmother died Nov 14th, 2018, after a brief, valiant struggle with cancer. She was 75, the oldest child of Carl B. and Joan Gerdts.

During the planning of this obituary she made one request. "Make it funny," she said.

Judy was a 1961 graduate of Shortridge H.S. and a 1981 graduate of the Indiana University School of Law. She served two years as assistant to the Secretary of the Indiana State Senate and later assistant to the chairman of the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee. She then practiced family law for 18 years before being appointed to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission by Gov. Frank O'Bannon. She was later named Director of the Department of Financial Institutions by succeeding Gov. Mitch Daniels. She then spent seven years with Capitol Assets lobbying firm and later served as a legal mediator with the Indiana Department of Education.

Judy's life was filled with laughter, legions of devoted friends and a keen appreciation for life's boundless amusements. She was a prodigious reader, movie and concert-goer. She walked, jogged, water skied at Lake Tippecanoe, hiked, kayaked, rode horses, kept two bee hives, worked out four days a week, was a competitive ballroom dancer, grew prize winning dahlias, kept a gardenia plant alive for 40 years, lived on the White River for 29 years and was a member of the White River Yacht Club. She completed a triathlon when she was 60 and rarely missed a chance to wear a flamboyant hat and agreed to anything that promised fun and adventure.

She co-founded a nonprofit organization for the preservation and revitalization of the White River, now named in her honor, The Judith G. Ripley Society. At 71 years of age she was a powerful force as she personally removed invasive brush to restore the banks of the White River at Broad Ripple Park, in 95 degree heat.

She died at her home overlooking the White River, surrounded by friends, family and her beloved dogs, the jubilant Lilly and neurotic but endearing Linus.

She is survived by her children, Dan (Lisa), Dave (Kristen) and daughter Andi (Dave); grandchildren Ben, Allison, Ian, Ellie, Frances and Carli; great grandchildren Tyren and Toren; sisters Sandi (Jeff), Penny (Bob) and brother Barney (Bonnie); special friends Dale Friedlander, Carol and Jerry Collins, spiritual guide Rev. Jean Smith and Bill Shaw.

A celebration of Judy's rich and meaningful life will be held at the White River Yacht Club on Nov 25th from 1-4pm. In lieu of flowers contributions are encouraged made payable to The Judith G. Ripley Society. Checks or credit cards will be accepted by Ripley Auctions, 2764 E. 55th Place, Indpls, IN 46220, 317-251-5635.

Goodnight sweet Judy and rest well.

www.leppertmortuary.com