Jody Endres

Jody Michelle Endres, 45, a devoted teacher, scholar, lawyer and passionate advocate for the environment and animals, passed away on November 18th, 2015. A memorial service will be held on December 5, 2015 at 11:00am at the United Methodist Church, Hurley, SD. Jody is survived by her husband of 23 years, Bryan Endres, her parents, Judy and Marly Gerdes, of Hurley, SD, as well as numerous aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Jody was born on March 12, 1970, in Hastings, MI, but spent most of her early years in Overbrook, KS with her mother and loving grandparents, Gordon and Margaret Hummel. She later moved to Hurley, SD, where she excelled in athletics and academics. Jody was the Athlete-of-the-Year for three years in high school, competed at the state cross-country meet, scored more than 2000 points in basketball, and holds the school record for the 2 mile and medley relay, while also graduating as the class valedictorian. Her selection to participate on an international basketball team that toured Australia and to compete at the International Science Fair in Puerto Rico, sparked in her a passion for travel and the exploration of different cultures. She attended the University of South Dakota and earned a degree in Political Science with a focus on international relations. It was at an international relations conference hosted at West Point that she met her future husband, Bryan Endres. They were married after their graduations in 1992 and as newlyweds embarked on a world tour courtesy of the U.S. Army. Once settled in Germany, Jody immediately integrated with the local community, learning German from her “adopted” grandmother, Emmi, a WWII survivor, who in return wanted to start learning English at the age of 85. In addition to pursuing a Master’s Degree at nights and on the weekends, Jody worked for the State Department in the Frankfurt Consulate, assisting with refugees and asylum seekers from conflict in the Balkans. She loved helping others, speaking German and exploring all she could of Europe. She returned to the United States and, after a brief position with the NY State Assembly, pursued her ultimate goal, a law degree, graduating with honors in 2000 from University of Illinois College of Law. While there, she focused on the nexus between agriculture and the environment, with a goal of using policy knowledge to create a more sustainable future. After graduation and working for federal judges in both Alexandria, VA and Phoenix, AZ, Jody returned to Urbana to work for the Energy Biosciences Institute and its effort to create more environmentally sustainable biofuels. In 2012, Jody joined the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences as an Assistant Professor where she taught courses related to renewable energy and natural resources law. Although never fond of airplanes (except to the extent they could transport her to another distant and exotic destination), one of her more recent projects was working with the FAA to develop sustainability standards for bio-based jet fuel. She loved examining complicated institutional approaches to building sustainability regimes to improve the environment. Through all of this, she loved her students, colleagues and collaborators across the UI campus and around the world. Her students knew her to be both very supportive and demanding of their best. For those who knew her in the neighborhood, she appeared to be fearless in tackling home projects. Involved in many community and professional organizations, her most visible local volunteer role was guest hosting on WILL-TV during fund drives. Although she loved gardening, watching birds, walking along the ocean, her pets, and cooking gourmet meals for friends, her real passion was mentoring and encouraging others to make a lasting difference in the world. And although her presence here ended too soon, her impact will be felt for a long time. In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, donations to honor Jody may be made to the University of South Dakota Foundation, or any charity of your preference.