Judith Kay Carr Gittings left us on January 29, 2015. Judie was not a fighter, and she would tell you so. So when pancreatic cancer came into her life May of last year, she did not press forward into battle. Instead, she rose to the challenge, not with a sense of conflict, but with gentle fortitude and her Norwegian constitution, always brave and gracious.

Judie was born to Millard and Alice (Knutson) Carr April 3, 1943 in Philip, South Dakota, where she loved her small town life. There were early morning parties with giggling girls in pajamas, visits to her Grandma Carr’s after school, babysitting cousins when they came to town, classic church performances of carols and reciting pieces, small time pranks, piano lessons, singing with her sister and school dances and activities. She made lifelong friends and created pleasant memories.

In 1961, she graduated from Philip High School and married Leo Gittings, her cherished husband of 53 years. They began a life very different from the small town and farm where they were raised. Their journey took them throughout the United States, traveling to new places and making friends who became family. Judie was always open to the new adventures where ever they lived: water skiing in Texas, snorkeling in Hawaii, salmon fishing in Alaska, snow skiing in Maryland and Colorado and more. During this time she and Leo raised a family together, a daughter, Michael Ann, and a son, Lance Brady.

Judie was the defender of the underdog, caregiver of babies, and the spoiler of grandchildren. She loved puttering in her yard, reading books, sitting on a beach, and making a house a home. She had gentle hands for holding, a soft heart for her pets, an eye for decorating and a taste for sweets. She was loyal, gentle and compassionate. She was loved by friends and family as she loved them.

She is survived by her husband Leo Gittings, two children Michael Ann Sandy and husband Joe of Chester, VA and Lance Gittings and wife Shauna Shaw of Cheyenne, WY, six grandchildren Joey Sandy and wife Nicole of Chester, VA, Stephen Sandy and wife Lauren of Richmond, VA, Katie Sandy of Richmond, VA, Lars Gittings, Gregory Shaw and McKethen Shaw of Cheyenne, WY, two great granddaughters, Stella Rhoe and Lydia Carr Sandy, siblings Patty Carr of Spearfish, SD and Marshall Carr and wife Tacy of Florence, AZ, two aunts Lillian Perry of Bellvue, WA and Esther Knutson of Philip SD, a special cousin Tara Fitzgerald Urich of Tulsa, OK, sister-in-law Peggy (PeeWee) Hook, brothers-in-law George (Sandee) Gittings and Joe (Kathy) Gittings all of Philip, SD, Charlie (Diane) Gittings of Somerset, SD, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and special friends including Jake and Janet Tisdall and Clyde and Kay Moore.

She was preceded in death by her parents Millard and Alice Carr.

During her illness, Judie was overcome and extremely grateful for all the cards, phone calls, support and visits she received from family and friends.

Memorial services were held 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 19, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Frezil Westerlund officiating.

Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Memorial contributions will be donated to the Haakon County Public Library.