Judy Ann Staples

A memorial service for Judy Ann Staples, age 76, was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Jay Mitchell officiating. Inurnment was at the Herrick Cemetery in Herrick, SD. Judy Story was born on February 8, 1949, to Earnest and Viola (Brandenburg) Story, in Gregory, SD, a fraction later than her twin sister, Trudy. Judy attended three different high schools— Gregory, Burke, and Colome, SD—graduating from Colome in 1967. After high school she was employed at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, SD, for eighteen months.

Judy married the love of her life, Milo Duane Staples, on December 21, 1968, at her parents’ home in Colome, SD. Milo enlisted in the US Army on January 9, 1968, and the couple moved initially to Colorado as Milo was stationed there, where he served two years in the Army as an automobile mechanic.

Judy was a busy homemaker and support for Milo as they lived in Bassett, NE, Gregory, Winner, Colome, Dallas, Armour, Wagner, Delmont, and finally Tyndall, SD, where they resided for thirty plus years.

Judy enjoyed sewing, and when the children were young she sewed matching outfits for them. She was active in Assembly of God churches and enjoyed working with children in children’s church and teaching Sunday School, which she said she “couldn’t have done without her daughter’s help.” Judy also liked working on family history and reminiscing with twin sister Trudy and brothers Ty, Rick, and Tim.

Judy Ann (Story) Staples passed away at the Heritage Estates in Gering, NE, on September 26, 2025.

She is survived by daughter Veronica Kaye (Staples) Johnson; son Anthony Duane Staples; sisters Trudy Lee (Story) Mitchell and Jamie Sno Fly; brother Rickey Joe Story; son-in-law Gene Johnson; grandsons Tanner James Svanda and Elisha James Staples; step-grandsons Michael Johnson and Stephen (Lydia) Johnson; eight great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law Don Eisenhauer, Jerry Staples, and Jay Mitchell; and sister-in-law Judy (Crain) Staples.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest and Viola Story; husband Milo Staples; young daughter Angelica Dawn Staples; son Douglas Ralph Staples; and brothers Tim Story, Shawn Story, and Ty Story.