Jody Emrich

JODY LYNN EMRICH

Tipton

Jody Lynn Emrich, 59, of Tipton, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016, at Windmill Manor. Visitation will be Saturday, Feb. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at First United Church of Christ, Tipton. Memorial services also will be on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the church. Inurnment will be June 25 at Woodbridge Cemetery, Buchannan.

Memorials in Jody's honor may be directed to Tipton Tree Project, First United Church of Christ Memorial Fund or Tipton Senior Dining.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Jody's life journey began July 16, 1956, in Cedar Rapids, where she was born to Melvin Douglas and Betty Ruth (Ferguson) Emrich. Jody attended and graduated from Tipton High School with the class of 1974. She studied at University of Colorado for two years before finishing her education with a B.A. degree from ISU in Ames.

Jody's beginning years of employment included managerial positions at Holiday Station Stores and Dough Biz Cookies, both in Ames. While in Ames, she was a member of First Christian Church and initiated its first free Thanksgiving dinner. Jody then moved to the San Francisco area of California for 13 years and was employed at VIA Center (school for troubled young men) as a cook and also was an at-home caregiver for her good friend, Carlos Sanchez. She returned to Tipton 12 years ago and was very passionate about and involved in the SHARE program at First United Church of Christ, where she has since been a member.

Jody also was an active member of the Tipton Garden Club, and that reflected in her desire to buy and plant plants and flowers for everyone at the Tipton Senior Park. She was very active in social activities at Tipton Senior Park and she also enjoyed attending Shared Blessings.

Jody is survived by her mom, Betty Emrich, Tipton; brother, Craig (Lynn) Emrich, Marion; her beloved cat, Shadow; also many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Douglas Emrich.