Jody French

Jody French, age 57, of Montevideo, Minnesota passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo. A Funeral Service to celebrate Jody will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo with interment following at Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Montevideo. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 26, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the service. In honor of Jody, please wear any sports attire you may have.

Jody Lyn French was born May 9, 1968, at Chippewa County - Montevideo Hospital to Gregg and Mary Nell (Gothe) French. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. Growing up, Jody spent countless hours with her brother, Jason and the neighborhood children playing any game they could think of. She attended school in Montevideo where she was the manager of the volleyball team while in high school. Jody graduated with the Class of 1989.

Jody was pure sunshine, her presence brought instant smiles to others. Jody participated in many Special Olympics in track and field, swimming, bowling and basketball. In 1991, Jody was selected as one of four female swimmers to represent Minnesota in the International Special Olympics and came home with a team gold and an individual silver medal. Jody loved playing and watching all sports and was a dedicated Montevideo Mohawk and later, Thunderhawk fan. She was an avid Minnesota sport fan and could hold her own in any debate over why her Minnesota teams were better.

Jody began attending Chippewa Enterprises where she worked part time. In 2003 she started work at Heartland Industries with her last assignment of working with senior citizens where she was known as “Chef Jody.” She attended many camps at both Friendship and Needlepoint and loved gaining new friends along the way.

Jody is perhaps best known for her hugs. Everyone she met would receive one. Family was important and she loved being the older sibling even if she was only 5 feet tall. Jody enjoyed traveling with her parents to visit her brother, attend family reunions, going to Disney World in Florida, multiple cruises and even attended the Olympics when they were in Atlanta, Georgia. One of her favorite places was the camper on Lobster Lake. While living at Onward services, Jody formed lifelong friendships with all her room mates, especially Darcy Johnson, Alma Quenemoen and Sheila Hokins.

Jody is survived by her parents, Gregg and Mary Nell of Montevideo; brother, Jason and his wife, aka ‘bonus sister’ June of Montevideo; furry girls, Casey and Jersey; godmother, Dawn Goulson of Montevideo; uncles, John Skonard and Thane French both of Montevideo; aunts, Shirley Villano of Pocatello, ID, Colleen Brush of Richland, WA; loved and adored cousins and many, many friends.

Jody was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Clifford and Leona French; maternal grandparents, Casey and Myrlee Gothe; aunts and uncles, Richard Goulson, Diane Skonard, Dean (Ila) French, Fran French, Bev French, Paul Villano, Jim Brush; cousins, Cris Skonard, Lisa Villano, Joann Goulson.