RAPID CITY | Judy Ann (Rucker) Krull, age 81, passed away in the comfort of her home on June 18, 2018. She died unexpectedly of natural causes.

Judy was born in Centralia, WA in 1937, daughter of Earl Rucker and Julia (O'Brien) Rucker.

Judy's cousin, John "Johnny" Leister, was taken in and raised as her younger brother when his own mother contracted polio. Judy and Johnny grew up near Deep River, WA tucked between the mouth of the Columbia River and Long Beach WA, where their father provided accounting services to logging camps in the surrounding area. Judy's lifelong love of the outdoors and nature come from this childhood exposure of swimming rivers and lakes, hunting, fishing in the Columbia River, frolicking at the beaches, and family vacations on Spirit Lake at the base of Mt. St. Helens.

Judy's family transferred to Vancouver WA her senior year, where she matriculated from high school in 1955. She went on to finish an associated degree from Marylhurst University in Marylhurst, OR. Unable to further her degree, Judy moved to Portland, OR where she was a secretary at the Oregonian Newspaper and later at the Oregon Dairy Council. She lived in an all-women's boarding home where she created very fond memories of attending dances, being active in the Newman's Catholic Youth Group, downhill skiing and having a very active social life.

While on a visit with her parents in Oakridge, OR, Judy's father introduced her to a young work-associate named Richard Krull. Two years later in 1965, they were married at All Saints Catholic Church in Portland, OR. Richard and Judy shared a love of the outdoors, downhill skiing, social outings and racing their Porsche with the local Porsche Club. Judy was an accomplished race car driver and gave Richard a run for his money on the ski-slopes. Their joint involvement with the church grew exponentially, spawned from Judy's steadfast belief in God and the Catholic faith that lasted her entire life.

Beyond religious leadership and faith, the Catholic church was a familiar framework and welcoming community in each location Richards work took them. From Oakridge to La Grande, OR, to Ukiah, CA, Kalispell, MT, Lufkin, TX, Diboll, TX and finally settling in Rapid City, SD, in 1983.

At age 34 a terrible ski accident set Judy up for a life punctuated with chronic pain and which increasingly robbed her of the physical activity she enjoyed so much. However, what she gave up in one area of life she doubled down elsewhere, volunteering in the church and community while building networks of friends through social groups. With four children underfoot in Texas, she worked church craft shows & bazaars, taught Sunday school, was part of multiple bible studies, help organize Christian Women's Luncheons, and pursued her talent and love of music through acting and singing in multiple musicals with Community Theatre. Once in South Dakota and with children more independent and eventually grown, she added Blessed Sacrament's 12 Apostles and Cursillo, New Horizons Senior Municipal Band, Rapid City Symphony League, Parade of Homes, Republican Women's Club, TOPS, and Red Hat Society.

Judy loved God, her savior Jesus Christ, her family, her friends, and being socially active. She always appreciated a good joke, silly prank or any opportunity to laugh and enjoy the moment with others.

Judy is predeceased by her husband Richard Krull, her parents Earl and Julia (O'Brien) Rucker and her brother, John Liester.

Judy is survived by her son and his wife Gregory and Nina Krull of Winston-Salem SC; her daughter and her husband Carolyn and John Krull-Tomberlin of Petaluma, CA; her daughter and her husband Jeanette and Michael Krull-Hesch of Seattle, WA; her son and his wife Gary and Susy Krull of Durango, CO; and nine grandchildren Theodor, Jonathan, Isabel, Lars, Sarah, Kathryn, Clara, Walter, and Luke.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, June 25, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, at Blessed Sacrament Church on Jackson Blvd, Rapid City. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial fund has been established with the National Fragile X Foundation (NFXF), that can be reached online at https://give.fragilex.org/judykrull or checks can be mailed to NFXF, 1861 International Drive Suite 200, McLean, VA 22102 with "Judy Krull Memorial" written in the memo.