Obituary: Lisa Mae Hudson

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In memory of

Lisa Mae Hudson

of Midland, South Dakota, died on Monday, May 2, 2011 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 37

Lisa Mae Hudson was born July 24, 1973, in Pierre, South Dakota, the daughter of Richard and Gene (Snook) Hudson. She was baptized at the Deep Creek Lutheran Church where she remained a member her entire life. She grew up on the farm-ranch in the Deep Creek area, and attended Deep Creek Rural School . At the age of 11, she attended Black Hills Special Services Coop where she was in a day school program and lived in a group home. At the age of 21, she moved to the Black Hills Workshop, where she has since resided. Although she lived in Rapid City, she made numerous visits back to the ranch.
Lisa enjoyed her doll collection, and loved to be with her family, both her biological family as well as her group home family. She loved to give hugs or pat you on the back, and was known for snapping her fingers to get your attention.
Grateful for having shared her life are her parents, Richard “Dick” and Gene Hudson of Midland; two sisters Connie Johnson and her husband Jon of Midland, and Debbie Burma and her husband Cory of Columbus, Nebraska; six nieces and nephews, Wyatt, Avery and Noah Johnson, and Christopher, Courtney and Cameron Burma; as well as her family from Black Hills Workshop.
Lisa was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Gaylord and Marie (Marrington) Hudson and her maternal grandparents Clair and Sylvia (Peters) Snook.
Visitation was held 4-6 p.m. MDT on Thursday, May 5, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Friday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. CDT Friday, May 6, at the Deep Creek Lutheran Church north of Midland, with Pastor Frezil Westerlund officiating.
Interment was held at 1:00 p.m. MDT at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.
A memorial is established.

In memory of Lisa, we share this devotion written recently by her sister Deb Burma.
Precious in His Sight
…may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation. – 1 Samuel 26:24
“Jesus loved the little children, all the children of the world,” our Sunday school sang loudly, off-key, and with all our might. “They are precious in His sight!” we shouted. Looking at my little sister, I knew it was true; she was precious in His sight. She was a rare jewel – a precious gem! For a few brief years, she was able to belt out those words with the rest of us; that is, when she would stand still long enough to sing the song. Lisa was a “hyperactive” youngster, as defined by the doctors in her preschool years. They would later learn that Lisa was having countless small seizures, affecting her behavior. Over the next several years, the seizure activity continually worsened, taking its toll on my sister, damaging more and more of her brain. Though my parents sought all the medical care available, there was no cure for the rare degenerative disorder that plagues Lisa’s body; there was only medicine to attempt to slow the seizures.
Over the years, I often cried out to God in anguish for my little sister: “If Lisa’s life is precious in Your sight, why would You allow something so awful to happen to her?” Even as I cried out, I received the Savior’s peace and strength. I know that my family did, too. God gave us the ability to trust Him, despite the difficulties Lisa’s disease placed on us and the pain it caused her. We trusted that He was holding His precious gem, my sister, in the palm of His hand.
Today, Lisa lives in a home for adults with severe mental disabilities. She receives excellent care and a lot of love from caretakers and family. Though I may not understand why she has had to endure so many trials, I know that my little sister’s life is precious in the sight of the Lord. She is a chosen and baptized child of God, treasured and forgiven; her salvation is certain. In her limited capacities, she is a joyful person with a ready smile, a quick hug, and a snap of her fingers. Though she does not speak or sing anymore, she touches many people with her life. I trust that God is using Lisa’s precious life to show them His grace, and He is glorified through her. One day, she will be delivered out of all the tribulation she has endured in this life. Then she will see her Savior, Jesus, face-to-face and be able to sing with the angels around God’s throne!
Our lives are precious in the Savior’s sight. We may cry out to God in anguish because we do not understand why He has allowed something awful to happen to us or to someone that we love. There will be trouble, pain, and hurt in all our lives as a result of the sin in this world. But we have Good News! {Jesus said} “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He overcame sin and death when He died for us. We are chosen and forgiven in Christ; our salvation is secure. We are His treasured jewels – His precious gems! The Lord gives us His peace and strength, enabling us to trust Him in the midst of trials and tribulation. One day, we will all be delivered out of our tribulations. We, too, will see our Savior face-to-face, belting out our praises with the angels around the throne of God!
Lord God, I praise You for choosing me; that my life is precious in Your sight! In the strength of Your Spirit, enable me to trust You through every tribulation. Use my life to show others Your grace; be glorified through me today! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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My precious little sister, Lisa, is having surgery today. In honor of her, I want to share a special memory - a story about a little shepherd and the Good Shepherd. I pray that these words are a fragrant offering and that God uses them to touch you in a special way today...

[Jesus said] “…the sheep listen to [the shepherd’s] voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. …I know my sheep and my sheep know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:3-4,11,14-15

“Eighteen bottle lambs. You girls get to spend the summer feeding them, raising them, caring for them.” A cattle rancher, my father had never raised sheep. But the sheep rancher down the road found himself with eighteen motherless lambs in need of care, and we lovingly adopted these little woolen critters. My older sister, Connie, decided they each needed a name; unique markings on each lamb made it easy to distinguish one from another. We spent countless hours in the pen each day, bottle-feeding, petting, playing, and laying down beside our little flock.

But it was my younger sister, Lisa, who had a way with our sheep. Soon to be diagnosed with a rare degenerative form of epilepsy, Lisa was not an average five-year-old; she was, however, a true shepherd. When Lisa called the sheep by name, they listened. On several occasions, the silly, senseless critters wandered off, finding a hole in the fence and following one another out of the pen. Lisa found them, bawling and bleating; she called the sheep by name, clucked her tongue, and began walking ahead of them with every lamb in tow, following her in faithful procession. My parents and Connie and I all marveled at our little shepherd. Lisa would often lie down in the pen, surrounded by her flock. Sometimes she even scooped them in her small arms and carried them here and there. Ever the protective older sister, I envisioned rattlesnakes attacking her or the sheep. But Lisa had no fear. I believe she would have placed herself between the snake and her flock, if necessary. That is what a shepherd does.

How often do we, like those senseless sheep, wander away? What “hole” have we found to crawl through? What sins lead us foolishly away? No matter how far we wander, our Good Shepherd finds us, calls us by name, and leads us safely home. In our Baptism the Lord uniquely marks us as His own, filling us with His Holy Spirit, giving us faith in our Savior, the great Shepherd of His sheep, who laid down His life for us. That is what the Good Shepherd does.

By the power of His Spirit, we know His voice and we listen to Him as He speaks to us in His Word; as He leads us and guides us into His truth. We marvel at our Good Shepherd, who scoops us up in His strong arms and carries us always.

Open the Memorial Folder

Visitation: 4-6 p.m. MDT on Thursday, May 5, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. CDT Friday, May 6, at the Deep Creek Lutheran Church north of Midland, with Pastor Frezil Westerlund officiating.
Interment: 1:00 p.m. MDT at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Sign the guestbook

Dick, Gene & family, So sorry to read that you have another loss in your family. God gave you much faith & strength to carry the burden & love that you had over the years. You gave it your all. May God bless & now Lisa is free. Our prayers are with you. ~ Ronnie & Emily Sammons 24381 US HWY 14 Midland (5/2/2011)
we are so sorry to hear about lisa. praise God that she is safe in heaven and is healthy now and yes, singing YES JESUS LOVES ME! May God bless all of you. ~ Kenny and Nancy Neville Philip (5/2/2011)
Dear Dick and Gene, Connie and Debbie, My thoughts and prayers are with you, I can just see Lisa unbound and singing the praises of the Lord and Blessing all of you for your gracious and boundless love over the years of her life here on earth!! You were indeed Christ's arms and his hands as you loved and cared for her. ~ Mary Kay Sandal marykay.sandal@hotmail.com (5/2/2011)
Our prayers are with again during this difficult time.
Lowell and Jo Ann Miles ~ Jo Ann Miles sdbooklady@goldenwest.net (5/2/2011)
Dick, Gene, and Family,
How sorry we are to hear of your loss. I believe that God allows the hardest tasks in this life to come to the ones he loves the very most. How gracefully and lovingly you not only accepted in faith, but continued to carry what was handed to you with love, grace, and boundless faith through it all. Lisa is safe in heaven now, and is running, shouting, and singing as she could not for all those years. She is now in glory and only she can know the completeness of that word. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Don and Bobette Schofield Milesville, SD (5/2/2011)
Dick,Gene and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your loss. We pray that your memories will comfort you and that the Lord will give you strength during the days to come. If we can help in anyway please let us know. ~ Hal, Tammy, Ryan and Todd Jewett Pierre, SD (5/2/2011)
Dick, Gene, Connie, and Debbie ~

"We measure lives not in time
but in grace,
in the joy with
which they are lived,
and in the love
they leave behind."

Know that you all are in 'My Thoughts & Prayers' during this 'Trying Time'.

God Bless All Of You ~ Darla Dee ~ Darla Dee Stapert Pettis 1558 Ray Sowell Road Austin, AR 72007 (5/2/2011)
Dick, Gene, Connie and Debbie and families, I was saddened to hear of the loss of Lisa. I still remember her from her younger school days at Deep Creek School. She was blessed with you as her loving family on earth, and now she is blessed to be with God's loving family in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families in the days to come. ~ Mary Nelson Philip, SD (5/2/2011)
I am so sorry for you loss. Find comfort in knowing she has God's arms wrapped around her and can sing as loud as she wants now. Thinking of you and praying for you. ~ Kathy Larson LaDue Anamosa, IA (Midland) (5/2/2011)
Dick, Gene, Connie, & Debbie, We are so sorry for your loss! She is finally free of pain and troubles that she had for so many years. She is with her Savior Jesus Christ and singing and praising the Lord that she had such a loving family growing up! Our hearts go out to you and pray you find some comfort that she is now with the Lord and his family in Heaven! May God Bless you all! Gary & Jody ~ Gary & Jody Block Midland, SD (5/2/2011)
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Lisa could not have ask for a better family to take care of her every needs. Cherish all your memories and God will help you thru the days ahead. Yes, " Jesus Loves All the Children of the World". God bless ! ~ Tucker and Bev Hudson Howes, SD (5/2/2011)
Our sympathy on the loss of your precious child! Just as God has given you strength over the years he will continue and hold Lisa in his arms. ~ Tom and Shelia Trask Wasta SD (5/2/2011)
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers go out to you. ~ Susan and Bob Marrington Riverton, Wyo. (5/2/2011)
Dear Dick, Gene, Connie and Debbie! You are in our thoughts and prayers, for sure! Lisa was blessed to have a loving family who cared for her and who cared about her. As one read what Debbie wrote of her sister, Lisa, you couldn't help but feel the love that was there for Lisa, not only from her family, but from her Heavenly Father. The message is one of strength, of compassion, and of love. A message that reaches out to all who are blessed to read it and to know God walks that journey with us. Lisa is set free from all that life dealt her. With that comes comfort and peace!
God bless! ~ Jerry & Sonia Nemec Midland (5/2/2011)
Our thoughts and prayers for all of you. Debbie, you wrote a beautiful and informative piece and I'm grateful it has been included in the obituary. Certainly we know Lisa has a new, precious life in eternity. ~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler 24208 Fairview Rd, Philip SD (5/2/2011)
Dear Gene & Dick, We are so sorry for your loss. I am sure certain that it was God's plan for Lisa to be born into your family. You made a good life for her and we know that she is in the arms of Jesus. God bless & keep you. ~ Kenny & Lyndy Ireland Philip (5/2/2011)
Richard, Gene and Family. The best part of my life was having the pleasure of working with your beautiful Lisa. I feel so blessed to have been in her life. Lisa and I were great pals and I will NEVER forget her. All my Love, thoughts, and prayers go out to all of you. Wish so much I was able to be there, please know that I will be there in spirit. I LOVE her, I MISS her and I will NEVER forget her. All my love to you as well. God Bless. ~ Cheryl Hurley Rapid City, SD (5/2/2011)
Dear Dick, Gene, Connie, Debbie and families.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you again at this sad time. I am imagining the great reunion between Lisa and her grandparents, especially Grandma Sylvia. She went ahead to be there to greet Lisa as she came through the gates. Both are at peace now, in God's loving home. May God bless all of you. ~ Gene and Audrey Jones Midland (5/2/2011)
Gene and Dick,
Lisa was a wonderful, sweet girl/woman and it has been my pleasure to know her and you for these many years since her residence in Deadwood. May she rest in a well-deserved eternity where there will be peace, happiness and no more pain or troubles.
Pam ~ Pam Ekberg Rapid City, SD (5/2/2011)
We were so sorry to hear of your loss! Always hard to say good-bye to a loved one. Oh the glorious promises of heaven! "Never again will they hunger, never again will they thirst...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!" Rev. 8:16,17
We are lifting you in prayer! May God give you peace and comfort; and joy, too, in fun memories. What a special family you all are. What a special family you all were for Lisa. God be with you! ~ David, Karen Sue, Murdy & family Janesville, WI (5/2/2011)
Dick, Gene and family, Hugs and prayers to you all. May Lisa be gently held in her Lord's arms. ~ Jill Eymer Sturgis, SD (5/2/2011)
Dick and Gene and family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. She was a precious girl and is now at peace.
Sorry we cannot be there for you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Butch and Colleen ~ Butch and Colleen Dennis Rapid City, SD (5/2/2011)
I have taken care of Lisa in the hospital quite a few times and have loved her. Know she is now in a better place and is well again. She is dancing and singing with the angels. My love and prayers are with all of you and the tribute from sister Debbie was so touching and special. Love Joan ~ Joan Kirchhevel (5/2/2011)
So sorry to hear about Lisa, bless sll of you for all the love bestowed on her and her love returned. You are in my prayers. She is now at peace. ~ Ramona Williams Rapid City, S.D. (5/2/2011)
All our sympathy, prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. We are so sorry about Lisa but know she is in a better place now. We know the feeling of losing a child and extend our love and thoughts. Wish we could be there with you. ~ Marie & Kenny Spinsby Le Claire, IA (5/2/2011)
Gene, Dick, Connie and Debbie, We were saddened to hear of the death of your dear daughter, Lisa. She endured so much in her lifetime but was blessed with a loving family who cared for her and gave her all they could. What a blessed reunion in heaven with her grandparents. Joy, no sorrow or pain! May God give you comfort in your grief. Debbie, your tribute is beautiful and so full of love. ~ Barbara and Morris Jones Midland (5/2/2011)
Dear Gene and Dick,
Just wanted you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts today. Lisa taught us all how to be better people. I am grateful for having known her. It has been our privilege to be part of Lisa's care team. I hope the loving memories of Lisa will support you in your time of loss. ~ Matthew Simmons MD 2929 5th Street Rapid City, SD 57701 (5/2/2011)
We are saddened by Lisa's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hudsons, Johnsons and Burmas during this challenging time. Thanks to Deb for sharing some memories and helping to put this in a more meaningful and positive perspective. ~ Julians Rapid City (5/2/2011)
Dick,Gene & family,
My heart goes out to you at this time of loss. Lisa was such a joy when she was in my preschool class. She would beam with happiness. I believe at this time in God's Presence she is in glory and happier than any time she had on earth. God's strength at this time.
Betty Berry ~ Betty Berry Midland (5/2/2011)
Sorry for your loss. Our thughts and prayers go out to you and your family. ~ Cory and Chris Long Potter, NE (5/2/2011)
Dick, Gene, Connie, Debbie, and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your daughter and sister. May God's spirit and love comfort you through the difficult times. ~ Marshal, Lisa, and Sydney Maple Grove, MN (5/2/2011)
Dear Dick, Jean, Connie, Debbie, and families,
Our deepest sympathies to all of you in this time of Lisa's death. I was very touched by the devotionals that Debbie wrote related to Lisa- what a blessing that we can take heart as we know that God has overcome the world, no matter the tribulation! What a blessing to know that Lisa is now in heaven and is healthy and in God's loving arms! Many blessings to all of you! ~ Candy and Londa (Vanderwal) Nwadike Barre, VT (5/2/2011)