I’m Jody Worth and I’m from Saint Paul, Minnesota originally. I grew up on 108 Como Avenue between Park & Rice St. I went to Scheffer Elementary from K-6th grade and Mechanic Arts Senior/Junior High School from 7th – 12th, graduating in 1975. I was born in 1957 and graduated in 1975. (Having the last 2 numbers switched, I thought was interesting little tid-bit.)

I’m the oldest of 8, I have 4 sisters and 3 brothers, and before you ask, No we are not Catholic, but Lutheran. My mom had a sister and my dad was the youngest of 8 (they were North Dakota farmers). My maiden name is Hitchcock, (and yes I survived the names I had to endure from classmates.)

I enjoyed most subjects in school, particularly band. I played cornet and French horn. I received the John Phillip Sosa Award, my senior year. I was a cheerleader for the varsity Hockey Team the “Mechanic Arts Trainers”. Prior to that, I was a Flag twirler. I was recruited to play soprano bugle in 1973, for the Saint Paul Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, and, I was their first female horn player . I continued that for a few years and after graduation, joined the military.

I’ve worked as a hospital admitting clerk for Bethesda Lutheran Hospital, and at our neighborhood White Castle during my high school years.

In 1975, I joined the Minnesota Army National Guard. My Basic Training was completed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. My Company was one of the last WAC (woman’s army corps) platoons trained there. Then I was off to Fort Rucker, Alabama to train as a Flight Operations Specialist. The following year, I wanted more of that life so I went “active” in the regular Army. In 1977 I was stationed at Ft. Lee, VA, and then Ft. Carson, Colo. until, July 1979. I then was stationed overseas, in West Germany at Mainz-Finthen Army Airfield with the 8th Combat Aviation Battalion from July 1979-July 1982. I considered those the best 3 years of my military career. From July 1982-September 1983, I was with the 2nd Armored Division at Ft. Hood, TX, where I received an Honorable “medical” Discharge. A discharge I fought to the end, as I wanted to make the Army a career. Those who knew me growing up will tell you that‘s ALL I ever talked about.

I lost my dad to a train accident in July of 1977. I then lost my mom in March of 1978 due to a massive heart-attack (although I’m sure it was a broken heart). In January of 1979 my grandpa passed away due to a heart-attack shoveling snow. My grandma, god bless her then took on the task of keeping 6 of the 7 of my siblings from ages 2-16 together and raised them herself shortly after she retired. A Very Very Special Lady indeed and I hope one day, to be at least half the woman she was. Sadly we lost her on March 30th, 2006, she was 94. I spent almost every day with her while she was at the New Harmony Care Center. Their Staff took such great care of her. It is a loss and sadness that words can not express. She is greatly missed.

I’ve grown up a lot and have seen many things and places in my life so far. I hope to continue to travel as I have so much more to see.

I have a 27 year old son, Steven William Watson. I consider him very special as he was born on my birthday and my father was taken on my birthday 9 years earlier. His father, Bill and I were married just 4 short years 1984-1988. It’s taken a lot of maturing on both sides, but we now have a good relationship.

In 1993, I met my 2nd husband Ron Ramgren, a Vietnam Veteran. We were married the following summer, the following year Ron was diagnosed with cancer. After a year of treatment, sadly it became terminal. I lost him on October 20th, 1996.

In mid 1997 I met Peter, by way of the internet. Aug 11th, 1999 I married him and he says “I’ve thrown that bloody computer away”, when asked how we met.