Jody Ilene (Ketchum) BRIOLA

KETCHUM, BRIOLA, KOENEN, JACKSON, OLSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/5/2016 at 18:24:42

November 25, 1959 ---- December 27, 2015

Jody I. (Ketchum) Briola, age 56, formerly of the Rowan/Belmond, Iowa area, passed away, December 27, 2015 at her home in Aurora [Colordo] with her husband by her side following a valiant battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at 11:00 am at the United Church of Rowan, 811 Pesch, Rowan, IA. Pastor Nancy Hofmeister will be officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery near Rowan. Visitation and viewing will be 5-7pm Tuesday, January 5 at Andrews Funeral Home, 516 1st Street SE, Belmond, IA, and continues one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. There will be no viewing on Wednesday.

Jody Ilene Ketchum Briola, wife of Steven Briola, daughter of Robert (Bob) Ketchum and Inez (Koenen) Ketchum was born Nov. 25, 1959 in Belmond, IA. Jody was the youngest sibling and had a sister Julie and brother Kevin Ketchum. Raised a true country girl, she spoke many times of growing up in rural Iowa. She spoke of picking bean fields, family travels and family times. Her love for animals led many to believe she would become a veterinarian. Jody had a strong religious foundation instilled by her parents. Jody’s true calling was to be in education, a trade gained through her mother who was also a teacher. Jody attended grade 1-3 in Rowan IA. The remainder of grade school, junior high and high school were in Belmond IA. Upon graduation from high school she attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then became a social worker in Tyndall, SD. at a nursing home. Jody’s yearning to further her education lead her to Colorado where she lived until her death. She worked for several school districts doing social work while attending the University of Denver and getting her Master of Social Works degree. Jody finally found her educational calling with the Aurora Public Schools where she was an educator for 16 years until retiring in 2015. Her education did not stop with one Master Degree and she earned a second Master Degree in Arts from the University of Colorado. She also obtained her Principal Licensure from the University of Denver. Through her educational years and employment she remained devoted to God and his teachings and was involved in many church functions. Jody met her true love Steve through a school acquaintance in 2009. They dated for several years before getting engaged in June 2013, a true highlight in Jody’s life. Both traveled back to Iowa several times a year to be with family and friends. Jody's diagnosis with cancer in 2011 strengthened their love and they were married in Clarion, IA on Sept. 9, 2013 surrounded by family and friends. Her tough Iowan nature shined steadfast as she battled the cancer for five years and was determined to beat the disease. Through the many travels back to see family and friends Jody and Steve knew that Iowa was the place to start the next chapter in their lives and started planning their retirement in the Belmond area. A plan still in Steve’s future.

Jody is survived by Steve Briola and his kids, Tyler and Lauren Briola, Steve’s parents Fred and Norma Briola, and his sister Debbie Jackson and husband Fred all of Colorado. Jody’s sister Julie Ketchum and sister-in-law Marcia Ketchum both of Belmond, IA. A niece Nikki (Matt) Olson, Lilly and Noah of Clear Lake, IA. And a nephew Mark (Katie) Ketchum, Kylie, Emma, Cooper and Charli of Belmond, IA. Many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by grandparents, parents and brother Kevin. In lieu of flowers family is requesting donations be made to Lutheran Hospice (Collier Center) Lutheran Medical Center Foundation, 8300 West 38th Avenue Wheat Ridge, CO.

https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=3540153&fh_id=14473