Jody Blumhardt was born at home on June 8,1945, on the Rigney Ranch near Kennebec, South Dakota. She passed away peacefully at her home in Mesa, Arizona, on December 22, 2024, after a courageous three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 79 years old.
Celebration of Life services will be held at HolyCross Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ at 1420 W Thunderbird Rd on December 28 at 11 AM and atSt Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bismarck, ND at 2510 E Divide Ave on January 11 at 1 PM. A light lunch will be served following the services at both locations.
Jody was raised in Kennebec and later lived inFlandreau and Aberdeen, South Dakota;Bismarck, North Dakota; and Mesa, Arizona. Shemade many wonderful, lifelong friends everywhere she lived. She shared a remarkable 60-year marriage with her beloved husband, Paul Blumhardt. Together they had two children and built a life filled with love and cherished memories. They played more card games than possible to count.
Jody was an amazing homemaker, wife andmother. She always put the needs of her family and friends above her own with a giving heart.She loved children and babysat and nurtured many neighborhood kids. She also was a borncaregiver as she helped and cared for sick and/or elderly people throughout her life. After her children were raised, Jody moved on to continue serving others in the workforce. She managedthe employee lounge at Provident Life Insurancein Bismarck. Later she worked as a school cookin the Bismarck Public Schools. Her warmth andkindness left a lasting impression on those she encountered.
She is lovingly remembered by her husbandPaul, Mesa; daughter Kristi (Mick) Johnson;grandchildren Allie (Travis) Hill, AndrewJohnson, all of Bismarck; Zoe (GunnarMolstad) Blumhardt, Duluth, MN; Magda(Derek) Suhonen and great grandson NiiloSuhonen, Whitewater WI; brother Jerry (Ann) Rigney, Luverne, MN; sister Jeanne (Gary) Johnson, Madelia, MN; and dear friend, who was like a son, Darryl Forest, York, PA. She willalso be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Jody was preceded in death by her son DougBlumhardt, her parents Gerry and MyrtleRigney, her infant brother Joseph Rigney, her great-granddaughter Lauren Hill, her father and mother-in-law Gerhard and Eva Blumhardt, andbrother and sisters-in-law Wilbert and HerthaBlumhardt and Arlene Antolak.
Jody’s life was marked by resilience, devotion to family, and an enduring spirit that inspired all who knew her. She had a strong faith in her Lord and Savior and drew much comfort from the knowledge that her sins were forgiven and that she was granted eternal life through Him.May her memory bring comfort to those who loved her.
In lieu of flowers, Jody requested donations be given to MD Anderson Cancer Research Foundation at 2946 E Banner Gateway Dr, Gilbert, AZ 85234 or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are cared for by Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 7900 East Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85207. (480) 832-2850