Judith “Judy” Kaye (Knighton) Simon, age 72, of Sturgis, South Dakota, peacefully passed away on May 4, 2026, at her sister Teresa’s home in New River, Arizona, surrounded by her loving family and her faithful dogs, Ruger and Jack. Judy left behind a legacy of resilience, vibrant western heritage, and deep devotion to her family after facing complications from a stroke.

Born on April 8, 1954, in Columbia, South Carolina, to Kenneth and Helene (Price) Knighton, Judy’s childhood journey quickly moved to the wide-open spaces of South Dakota. After a brief time in the historic community of Igloo, the family settled in Pierre, where Judy grew up as an energetic tomboy. She excelled in track and field at TF Riggs High School, setting several school records, and famously spent her days swimming the Missouri River alongside the local Boy Scouts, playing baseball, and riding bikes.

Her enduring passion, however, belonged to horses and dogs. As a young girl, she bought her first pony in Pierre and spent endless hours riding between the Pierre and Fort Pierre communities and assisting local ranches. Her horse sense even earned her a spot as a rider swimming horses across the Missouri River in the iconic Casey Tibbs film Born To Buck. One of Judy’s favorite memories to tell was giving horseback rides to the band members of Three Dog Night after they performed in concert in Pierre.

Judy’s life was deeply rooted in the ranching traditions of South Dakota. While living at her grandparents’ ranch near Zeona and Hoover, she met Jerry Simon. The two married on September 1, 1970, and were blessed with their daughter, DeLynn, in 1974. On the Simon ranch, Judy truly shone as a skilled horse trainer and rodeo competitor. Known for being “as ranchey as they came,” she successfully trained numerous arena horses and competed for many years in the SDRA finals. She also bred and trained high-caliber Australian Shepherds that sold throughout the US.

Following her divorce in 1987, Judy moved to Sturgis and enrolled at Black Hills State University. It was there that she met Steve Sander. The two formed an instant connection, becoming inseparable best friends right from the start. Their shared drive and spirit of adventure soon took them out of South Dakota, relocating to Las Vegas and Arizona for work opportunities. Judy’s natural leadership and handiness allowed her to do many jobs ranging from managing crews installing massive commercial curtain systems in newly constructed Las Vegas hotels to managing an Appaloosa Ranch in Arizona.

In the spring of 1990, Judy and Steve returned to their roots in the Midwest, sharing a beautiful life together as they moved between Sturgis, Fort Pierre, and Beulah, Wyoming. Though they never officially married, Steve was the absolute true love of Judy’s life. For decades, they built a home centered on the things they loved most: fishing on local waters, embracing nature, target shooting, raising Rat Terriers, and listening to rock & roll, and old country music. They also shared an incredible circle of friends, building a close-knit “family” at the Pyramid in Sturgis.

When Steve passed away in February 2020, Judy lost her anchor. She felt his absence deeply, carrying a profound loneliness and missing him every single day.

For many years, Judy was a beloved fixture at the Broken Spoke Saloon as a bartender during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Her warm personality and sharp character drew rally visitors back to her bar year after year, including lifelong friends Bud and Duck Weiser.

Judy was also an exceptionally gifted craftsman who could fix or build almost anything. She mastered minor electrical work, plumbing, and mechanics. Her creative talents shone through exquisite beadwork, handmade western belts, breast collars, sewing, needlework, and leather work. Her patience and connection to the earth also led her to become a certified Master Gardener through the SDSU Extension program. Judy could also cook, can, or bake anything!

In her later years, Judy found immense comfort in her family. Starting in the fall of 2020, she and her daughter DeLynn began a treasured seasonal tradition, driving together back and forth between South Dakota and Arizona. Judy loved these road trips—viewing the country, laughing, and jamming to music alongside her daughter.

She spent her winters soaking in the Arizona warmth next door to her sister Teresa, finding peace under the morning sunshine. Above all, she was fiercely proud of her grandchildren, Chase and Timber, tracking their sporting wins and celebrating their unique futures.

Judy was preceded in death by her beloved partner, Steve Sander; her parents, Kenneth and Helene Knighton; and her older brother, Riley Knighton. She is survived and dearly missed by her daughter, DeLynn (Bryan) Hanson; her grandchildren, Chase (Shannon Bailey) and Timber Hanson of Fort Pierre, SD; her sisters, Teresa (Todd) Witte of New River, AZ, and Lynda Tucker of Sioux City, IA; her aunt, Lois Cornish of Mesa, AZ; and a wide, loving circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.