Jodi Kay (Johnston) Friedel, 49, of Brookings, South Dakota, passed away Aug. 25, 2016.

Jodi was born in Brookings, South Dakota July 13, 1967. She graduated from Brookings High School in 1986. Jodi married the love of her life, Butch Friedel, Sept. 25, 1993, and they made their home in Brookings.

Jodi worked at South Dakota State University for the last 11 years as an apparel buyer. Jodi’s eye for collegiate fashion and design has resulted in thousands of people wearing her talent on their sleeves. She also served as a mentor to all the students who worked with her. Previously she worked at Maurice’s, Jackson’s Jewelry and co-owned her own clothing store, JJJ The Company.

Her most favorite days were spent with her family and friends, hosting dinners and spending quality time swapping stories until all hours of the evening. She also loved to camp, fish and celebrate Sunday Funday in her floppy hat.

Holidays, especially Christmas, were never complete without a glass of wine and a tour of her beautifully decorated home. Jodi loved to love people and her pets, and always thought of her friends’ children as her own. She was a loyal sports follower of all things Brookings Bobcats and SDSU Jackrabbits. Jodi was a very bright light in the lives of all who knew her.

This beautiful life will forever be cherished by her loving husband, Gerald (Butch) Friedel and her family and friends. She is survived by her sister, Pam (Jack) Schricker of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; brother, John (Mary) Johnston of Hampton, Illinois; aunt, Catherine Chester of Brookings, South Dakota; nephews, Aaron (Nicki) Johnston of Maple Grove, Minnesota, Chris (Andrea) Schricker of Flower Mound, Texas, Addison (Gina) Johnston of Conroe, Texas, and Tom Johnston of Philomath, Oregon and niece, Niki (Larry) Cooper of Conroe, Texas. Also included are her dear brothers-in law, Randy (Nichole) Hofer, Allie and Turner, of Volga, South Dakota, Greg (Judy) Friedel of Las Cruces, Arizona, Bob (Rachele) Friedel, Kayleigh and Payton of Aurora, Colorado and sisters-in-law, Gwenda (Gregg) Tiegen, Gunnar, Greta and Greer, of Byron, Minnesota and Heather (Jordan) Zwart, Maggie, Cruz and Aldo, of Brookings, South Dakota. Not to mention, her many great nieces and nephews whom loved their auntie to the moon and back.

She was preceded in death by her mother, AnMae Johnston; father, Marion Johnston; mother-in-law, Norma Hofer and great nephew, Charles Johnston.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.