Judy Ann Carpenter

1963 - 2021

Judy Ann Carpenter

Sioux Falls - Judy Ann Carpenter, 57, of Sioux Falls, SD left this earthly world on Monday, May 3, 2021 at Ava's House, Sioux Falls, SD after her courageous battle with cancer.

Sioux Falls Memorial Service will be held 6:00 pm Friday, May 7, at Miller Westside Chapel, 6200 W. 41st Street, Sioux Falls, SD with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls assisting with services. For online obituary and guest register go to the website at www.millerfh.com.

Primghar Memorial Service will be 11:00 am Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Church of Christ, 280 1st St SW, Primghar, IA. The burial service will begin at 10:00 am at Pleasant View Cemetery, Primghar, IA. Eldridge Family Funeral Home in Primghar, IA assisting with services. For online obituary and guest register go to the website at www.eldridgefamilyfuneralhomes.com.

Judy was born July 29, 1963, in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, to Sylvester and Peggy (Crouch) Watts. She attended grade school in Harlem, Georgia. She completed her schooling through the 11th grade in Primghar, IA, and received her GED in 1982 from NCC in Sheldon, IA. She made a career of working with people. For 5 years she worked as a Home Health and Hospice Aide in various communities around Northwest IA. During that time, she also drove school bus for Sanborn Christian School. She was employed by Village Northwest Unlimited for over 10 years, working in various positions, all involving working with adults with disabilities. For 5 years she was paraprofessional with the Mobridge Pollock School in Mobridge, SD, and was a paraprofessional with Wagner Community School, Wagner, SD for 6 years. At age 53, she decided to get her online degree as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant with Mitchell Tech in Mitchell, SD. She completed all her coursework but was unable to finish her field work due to the cancer diagnosis.

On August 22, 1980, she married Marlyn Van Tol. They divorced in 1999. To this union 3 children were born. On May 14, 2005, she married the love of her life, Fred Carpenter and gained 3 more children. Fred and Judy lived in Selby, SD, for 7 years and Wagner, SD, for 6 years before settling in Sioux Falls, SD in 2018.

Judy was a member of Westside Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD. She belonged to Leaning on HOPE, a cancer support group, and various Facebook groups relating to Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma.

Grandchildren were the blessings Judy enjoyed the most! Spending time going to their sporting events, school activities, vacations, camping, to the zoo, swimming, and just "hanging out". Traveling, sight-seeing, cooking, baking cakes and cupcakes, sunflowers, reading, collecting Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and Willow Tree angels, being with family and friends, and listening to Christian music were some of her favorites. Cancer may have taken her physical life; but could not ever touch her spiritual life where she remained devoted to God and His faithfulness and goodness until her last earthly breath.

She is survived by her husband, Fred, of almost 16 years. Her children Stephanie (Jordan) Schmidt of Dell Rapids, SD; Justin (Karla) Van Tol of Sanborn, IA; and Rebecca (Ken) Miller of Primghar, IA. Her bonus children Josh (Kayla) Carpenter of Sioux Falls, SD; Rachel (Jesse) Bigelow of Kasson, MN; and Mark (friend - Emily) Carpenter of Sioux Falls, SD. Her grandchildren Kailyn, Kylie, Korbyn, Jaden, Dallas, Natalee, Lilee, Adelyn, and Sawyer. Her sisters Joann (Lee) Powell, Rhonda (Roger) Zweimiller, Sherrie (Stan) Ferguson, and Patty Perkins and many relatives and friends.