Judi Westerhold

Goodbyes were always difficult for Judi, and on May 3rd, 2025 surrounded by her family, she said the hardest one of all. Judi lived a life devoted to love, family, children and friends. She will forever be cherished and remembered for her selfless devotion to the family she created with Mark, her loving husband of fifty years. She was a mother to seven children, "Wawa" to fifteen grandchildren, and caretaker to countless others. No newspaper has the space to fully account for how much we will miss her or how dedicated she was to loving and caring for the people in her life. She embraced this role of caretaker with a passion unmatched.
Judi was born in Pender, Nebraska, the youngest of three children to Dale Legband and Dorothy (Waltermeyer) Ford. She spent her formative years in this small farming community creating memories with her cousins, friends and siblings. It was here in Pender that Judi met Mark Westerhold. It was love at first sight (for Mark). The two married April 12, 1975, and began a love story rooted deep in the values of family. For richer or poorer, they rarely left each other's side as their growing family took them from Pender to Omaha, and then to Wyoming where they ultimately settled in Cody.
Judi and Mark's relationship was what romance movies are based on. Mark first spotted Judi at the age of 11, but it wasn't until a year later that they started their lifelong friendship. Summer of '69 they started their on and off again dating relationship with the off time building a deeper friendship. In high school, they were nicknamed "Jack" and "Jill" because they were inseparable. In 1975, they married "too young" in Pender, but beat the odds and celebrated their 50th Anniversary this April. In the end, five days was the longest they'd ever spent apart.
Judi and Mark's life wasn't too adventurous, but it certainly was an adventure. (Having seven kids will do that.) The early years were lean and challenging with Mark sweeping her off to somewhere new seemingly every time they were expecting their next child. She took each one in stride and built a new home for the family and made new friends wherever they landed. Dancing in the kitchen was a favorite ritual, vacations to the lake in Minnesota were memorable, Halloween parties were epic. Camping became a favorite pastime, and she enjoyed spending many times in the mountains with friends. Later in life they traveled to China and Alaska, then to Ireland, fulfilling a dream of hers.
Judi loved and was loved by all children (hers and everyone else's). She was unmatched in her ability to see a child for exactly who they were and love them accordingly. She dedicated her life to the care of children from her first job as an aide in OB taking care of the newborns until her final snuggles with her grandchildren. In addition to seven children of her own, she and Mark opened their home to 42 children in foster care. She also ran Miss Judi's in-home daycare for more than 25 years, creating an atmosphere of inclusion, respect, and love for 151 children. Any child who met her knew they could come into her home unannounced and be loved unconditionally. She insisted that her love was not divided amongst those she loved, but rather it was multiplied.
Nobody ever needed to knock on Judi's door. Judi was a hugger. Whether a loved one or a stranger, Judi would greet you with a loving embrace. She was vigilant in her expression of love to her children and grandchildren, reminding them consistently through happy tears "I love you. Remember who you are and whose you are. You can't be replaced" or "Be smart. Be safe. I can't replace you."
Judi will be remembered for her endless love and devotion, quick-witted sense of humor, and zest for life. We will all remember the wild jet ski rides, dancing the night away, and extra-long hugs.
Judi was a fighter. She always fought for what was right. Throughout her life she battled for all children ensuring they were safe, cared for, and receiving everything they needed. And she wouldn't back down. Even as she battled cancer and other ailments, she beat all odds, stayed positive, and made several doctors look foolish along the way.
She loved and collected all things "heart," but anyone she ever met knows she was, in fact, the heart. We never had to wonder if she loved or was proud of us. We are all better people for being loved by her. Judi cannot be replaced.
Judi was preceded in death by her father Dale Legband, brother Danny Legband, and step-father Royce Ford. She is survived by her mother Dorothy Ford of Bellevue, FL; husband Mark of The Villages, FL; and children Josh (Mindy) of Powell, WY; Jake (Krista) of East Helena, MT; Jami (Alison) of Washington, DC; Jesse of The Villages, FL; Justin (Kristen) of Crestwood, KY; Jill (Lance) of Riverton, WY; and Jaxon of Powell, WY; and fifteen grandchildren Madison, Emma, Tristan, Landon, Kayleigh, Maya, Myles, Addelyn, Molly, Sarah, Syrus, Allison, Emil, Eleanor, and Ella May; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews who all adored her.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests sending donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Breast Cancer Foundation.
Memorial services will be at the Cody United Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 2pm.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of
Judi Westerhold, please click here to visit our sympathy store.