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Judy Sorensen Riba Nelson, 81

| December 10, 2021 1:00 AM

Judy Sorensen Riba Nelson, age, 81 of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died Dec. 6, 2021. She was born Feb. 10, 1940, in Ely, Nev., to Tad and Verna Sorensen. When Judy was 8 years old her parents were divorced and she and her brother, Ken went to live with their dad in Salina, Utah, later graduating from South High School in Salt Lake City.

In August of 1957, Judy married Jerry Riba in Reno, Nev. They lived in the San Francisco Bay area for 9 years. In 1961 they adopted Gayle and a year later Bryan. These two children were and continued to be the greatest blessings in the lives of their lucky parents

In 1966 Judy and her family moved to Cheney, Wash., where she was active in Beta Sigma Phi and helped start a chapter of Diakonia, an auxiliary for Lutheran Family and Child Services. In 1970 the family moved to Coeur d’Alene where Jerry and his brother Paul owned and operated the IGA market on Sherman Avenue.

Judy was an active member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and always active in her children’s sports and activities. She joined the local chapter of Diakonia and later the auxiliary for Youth For Christ. In 1975 Judy became a sister in P.E.O. (philanthropic educational organization) in chapter AG. In 2007 she became a charter member of Chapter CL. Judy also enjoyed her membership in Art Study Club. Other activities included fixing meals for Habitat for Humanity and Crosswalk. She was also a volunteer at the Hospice Thrift Store in Post Falls.

Judy was preceded in death by her brother, Ken in 1985 and her husband, Jerry in 2000. In 2003 Judy was married to Ralph Nelson and she became a part of a second loving family. She is survived by her husband, Ralph; a daughter, Gayle (David) Roadifer; a son, Bryan (Kim) Riba; stepdaughters, Angela Nelson and Mia (Jon) Kuba; grandchildren, Jennifer, Austin and Alex; and step grandchildren, Mellisa, Nicole, Stephanie, Jos, Alli and Abigail.

The funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene with a reception to follow at the church. Yates Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements and you may visit Judy’s online memorial and leave condolences at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com