BISMARCK, N.D. – Mary Ann Wood Ludeman, passed away with family at her side at the Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, N.D. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. Mary Ann was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter/daughter-in-law, and great friend.
On a beautiful fall day, Oct. 17, 1954, in Winner, S.D., Mary Ann Wood Ludeman was born to Harold and Ardyth Wood. She joined her parents, older sister, Genie, and grandmother, Zelpha Wood on the farm north of Colome, S.D.
In 1955, the family moved to Onida, S.D., where siblings Brad and Cathy were born. Mrs. Ludeman attended grade school and high school in Onida, where she was involved in music, drama and many other school activities; graduating from Sully Buttes HS in 1972. She loved school, books, and was a lifelong learner.
She was a graduate of Northern State University and the University of Wyoming with degrees in Speech and Language Pathology. She approached each day as a dedicated professional SLP at Torrington schools, North West Area Schools, Isabel, S.D., and the Mobridge-Pollock School District.
As a kind, compassionate Christian, Mrs. Ludeman had a deep faith in God beginning at childhood. She kept her faith in good times and bad with grace every day.
Mrs. Ludeman was a loving mother and grandmother to her children and grandsons who held her heart. Son, Ben and daughter, Emily were her greatest pride and joy. She was a college student and working single mother where she taught her children to do their best and to live a life to be proud of, even when it was difficult. She often expressed her thankfulness that both of her children had wonderful spouses and she loved Joel and Regina as her own.
June 14, 2012, was a gorgeous wedding day for Mary and Todd Ludeman at Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon. Mr. Ludeman introduced her to car racing, fishing, snowmobiling and Sunday afternoon road hunting in the “stinky old Bronco” with Maggie. Mrs. Ludeman loved music, especially church hymns, Christmas music and Christmas decorating.
She loved her life along the Missouri river, her trips with her husband to the Black Hills, her family, her precious puppy, Maggie, her job, her colleagues, the students whose lives she touched every day whom she loved as her own, and her Bible study group.
Mrs. Ludeman had a special way of bringing life and light into a room and always made you feel as if you were the most important person there. Many felt her support and encouragement.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Todd Ludeman, her adored children, Benjamin (Regina) Hays, his children, Makiah, Mason, Carter of California, and daughter, Emily (Joel) Shelton, Virginia; sisters: Genie (Bernie) Lauing and children, Cathy (Gerald) Georgis, her nephew, Joseph (Chris Whitlow); brother, Brad Wood, her nephew, Steven (Stephanie) Wood, their children, niece, Sarah (Joel) Vint, their children, nephews, Brian Wood, Matthew (Brooke) Wood. Her mother and father-in-law: Mary and Warren Ludeman, sisters-in-law: Lisa(Jeff)Martz, Kaisa, Amanda, Austin; Amy (Pete)Woehnker, Katelyn and Carson
and cousins.
Mrs. Ludeman was preceded in death by her parents, Ardyth in 1998 and Harold in October 2016, her grandparents, and her aunts/uncles.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bridges Against Domestic Violence in Mobridge, UMCOR Methodist Relief, or by a gift of classroom supplies to a school of your choice.
