James H.
Jenssen, 72 of Pierre Died on Friday, July 31 at his home in
Pierre Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Tuesday, August 4 at
Isburg Funeral Chapel with a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm
Services will be at 10:00am Wednesday, August 5 at Ss. Peter
and Paul Catholic Church with Burial at Riverside Cemetery
James Howard Jenssen, 72, was born August 10, 1936 in
Woonsocket, South Dakota, to Elmer & Leone (Neuharth). He
graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1954 and then joined
the Marines in November of that same year. He was honorably
discharged from the Marines November 8th, 1957 as a Corporal.
On May 9, 1959, he married Joan Mae Brewster in Woonsocket.
In 1964 they moved to Pukwana, South Dakota where he started
working for the South Dakota Department of Transportation. In
1974 they moved to Pierre where he continued to work for the
DOT. Joan preceded his death in July 28, 1988.
He married Shirley Edge August 20, in 1996 where they
resided in Pierre.
He retired from the DOT after 35 years on January 7, 2000
where he took his career from field highway inspection to
Deputy Secretary of the Department. He truly enjoyed spending
time with his family, keeping his yard pristine and
barbequing.
He was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Survivors include his wife Shirley of Pierre; four children
including Brenda Adams and husband Dave of Pierre, SD; Steve
and wife Julie of Pierre, SD; Ron and wife Paige of Lees
Summit, MO; Julie Demarest and husband Brian of Mandeville,
LA; two brothers Jerry (wife Gloria) of Woonsocket, SD and
Robert of Sioux Falls, SD, nine grandchildren and two great
grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother
Tom, granddaughters Melissa and Sarah Adams.
