Judy was born Feb. 25, 1947, in Rapid City to Francis and Phyllis Schmid. She graduated from high school at Cathedral High (home of the Gales). She went on to graduate from Black Hills State with a teaching degree. She married Robert \"Bob\" Ward on August 17, 1968, in Rapid City and had three children.

Judy is survived by her husband of (almost) 50 years, Bob Ward, and three children, Suzanne (Lance) Pearson and Jake (Amy) Ward, all of Rapid City and Mike (Brian Barta) Ward of Shakopee, MN. Judy had five grandchildren, Olivia, Sydney and Luke Pearson and Tanner and Logan Ward; four siblings, Mike (Judy) Schmid of Loveland, CO, Chris (Marilyn) Schmid of Rapid City, Joan (Charlie) Claybourn of Harrisburg, PA, and Mary (Bill) Deans of Fort Collins, CO; and brother-in-law, Jack Ward of California. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Phyllis Schmid and mother- and father-in-law, Cliff and Frances Ward.