Jessie Whitney, 96

Published/Last Modified on Monday, Dec 21, 2009 - 08:41:42 am CST

Jessie V. Whitney, 96, died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, at Oahe Manor in Gettysburg.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 21, at the Fort Pierre Congregational Church, with the Rev. Roger Easland officiating. Interment will take place at Scotty Philip Cemetery in Fort Pierre.

Jessie Violet Whitney was born July 13, 1913, in Ree Heights to Dan and Bertha (Sanders) Melvin. She attended school in Ree Heights, Highmore and Pierre, graduating form Pierre High School in 1932.

On Nov. 30, 1933, she married Glen Whitney and made their home in rural Pierre before settling in Fort Pierre. She loved the little house that was her home for 60 years. Glen died on May 14, 1987.

Jessie, after raising her family, decided to work outside her home. She began her working career in the Fort Pierre Post Office and worked in the Stanley County Auditor’s office for 13 years, 10 as Auditor. She worked for the Department of Revenue for 11 years, retiring at age 68. She then spent nine years serving on the Stanley County Commission, finally retiring at age 77. In 1977, she was honored to have been selected a South Dakota Merit Mother of the Year.

Jessie was a long-time member of the Fort Pierre Congregational Church, serving over 20 years as church secretary and Sunday school teacher. Jessie enjoyed her home and could always be found outside. In the summer she worked in her yard and garden. In the winter she would shovel snow or sweep the sidewalk. Jessie did not sit; she was always on the move cooking, cleaning or gardening. She loved to dance and Saturday nights would find her and Glen out for dinner and dancing.

Jessie is survived by her son, Gary (Sharron) Whitney, of Pierre; daughters, Beverly (Frank) Blaze, of Sanibel Island, Fla., and Susan (Mike) Smith, of Fort Pierre; sisters, Effie Hunsley and Dorothy Hewlett, of Pierre, Donna Betsinger, of Canning, Joyce Norman, of Kennewick, Wash.; brother, Warren Melvin, of Holibird; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jessie was preceded in death by her husband, Glen; son, Melvin; four sisters; two brothers; and her parents.

Memorial may be directed to the Fort Pierre Congregational Church or the Memory Diagnostic Clinic at Countryside Hospice.

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Comments

2 comment(s)

Sue Jones wrote on Jan 4, 2010 11:56 AM:

" Jessie was instrumental in my Sunday school learning and later church life. She was always kind and understanding and is remembered fondly. Sorry for your loss. "

Debby Buchholz wrote on Dec 21, 2009 12:22 PM:

" Jessie was always so nice and was especially friendly to my mom when we first moved to Pierre in 1969. Sorry for your loss. "

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