Judy Darlene Kiger

Judy Darlene Kiger, the daughter of Joseph and Beulah (Buck) Richeal, was born July 11, 1948, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and died peacefully May 3, 2020, surrounded by her beloved family at her home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 71 years, 9 months, and 11 days.

Judy was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Watertown, South Dakota. She attended Watertown Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1966. Judy studied at General Beadle State College in Madison, South Dakota where she received her teaching degree in 1969. She did her student teaching in Hartington, Nebraska before moving to the Audubon area in 1970. This is where she met her future husband Dean. Judy taught 3rd grade at the Gray Elementary School.

On August 7, 1971, she was united in marriage to Dean Kiger at the Methodist Church in Watertown. They were blessed with three children: Matthew, Jacque, and Andrew. Judy taught 4th grade in the Audubon School District for many years until she retired.

Judy was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. She served on the Education Committee and taught Bible School. Judy was also active in the Methodist Women. She enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and playing golf with Dean. Judy enjoyed watching hospital and crime programs on TV and reading romantic novels, as well as the Harry Potter series. She loved singing, going to the theater, and attending Civic Center events in Des Moines, Iowa. Judy was an avid Elvis Presley fan and openly wept at his death. She enjoyed traveling across the United States, going to Branson, Missouri, and visiting high school and college friends. She loved eating popcorn and Tootsie Rolls. For Judy, the most important thing in her life was her family. She loved being involved and attending all the many activities the children participated in as they were growing up. Her hope was that everyone remembered that life is meant to be.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Joseph and Beulah Richeal; and her brothers, Fred and wife Nariko Willoughby and Robert Richeal.

Survivors include her husband, Dean Kiger of Audubon; her children: Matt and wife Jill Kiger and their children Gavin and Maria, all of Logan, Iowa; Jacque and husband Alan Hutchcraft of Maysville, Missouri; and Andy and wife McKenzie Kiger and their children Brianna, Dominic, and Fletcher, all of Carroll, Iowa; her brother-in-law, Dennis Kiger of Coon Rapids, Iowa; her sister-in-law, LeAnn Richeal of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; as well as nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family will meet with friends Friday evening May 8, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kathy Kluis on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Matt Kiger, Andy Kiger, Alan Hutchcraft, Gavin Kiger, Tom Christensen, and Dan Lowe.

As an expression of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be given to the Kindred Hospice, 831 N. Griffith Rd., Carroll, IA 51401.