Judy Ward was born April 17, 1952 to Jake and Harriet (Dyk) Namminga in Yankton, South Dakota. She died from complications of Lewy body dementia February 6, 2017 in Beresford, SD at the age of 64 years.

Judy was raised in rural Springfield, SD where she graduated from USD Springfield with her teaching degree.  While attending USD Springfield, she met Dennis Ward and they were married on November 9, 1973 in Springfield. After they were married, the couple lived in Marion, Beresford, and then settled on the Ward family farm of rural Centerville in the fall of 1979.  This is where they raised their three daughters. Before her girls were born, Judy worked at Sioux Steam in Beresford. After they were older, she worked at law offices in Viborg and Beresford, and was the elementary librarian at Beresford and Harrisburg Explorer.  After ending her years as a librarian, she worked as the director of the Precious Little Ones daycare.  She officially retired in 2014.

She lived every moment with a purpose; whether she was spending quality time with her children, baking, reading, raising flowers or gardening. Judy enjoyed collecting tea pots and porcelain dolls. She had a servant heart and loved being involved at her church with various projects and children ministries.

Survivors include her husband, Dennis Ward of Centerville; daughters, Michelle (Adam) Nelson of Waukee, IA, Rebecca (Darren) Larson of Sioux Falls and Kathy Ward of Beresford and five grandchildren, Brynn, Isaac, Cooper, Major and Deacon. Also surviving are her parents, Jake and Harriet Namminga of Springfield, SD; sisters, Joanne (David) Hatle of Sioux Falls, Sharon (Alan) Egge of Yankton and Audrey (David) Gaspar of Flandreau. She was an aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by an infant brother, Douglas.

Funeral services will be 10AM Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Brooklyn Evangelical Free Church, rural Beresford, SD. Visitation will be 5-8PM Friday at the church with a prayer service at 7PM.