Jacquelyn Joens

Funeral services for Jacquelyn A. Joens, 84, of Dupree will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pioneer Hall in Dupree. Kesling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jackie died at her home in Dupree on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Jacquelyn Arlene Bennett was born June 27, 1939 to Chuck and Shorty Bennett on the Cherry Creek Road on the way to Dupree. Jackie grew up south of Dupree, along with her five siblings – Doris, Mac, Don, Connie, and their baby sister B.K, who was an angel sent from God to join their family. Jackie loved telling stories about the “special” addition she was to them. They were a musical family and played for many dances, and their jam sessions were the best!

Jackie and Connie were quite the pranksters, picking on their neighbor, Harold Wall, who they thought of as another brother. Jackie spoke often of their childhood and the fun they always had.

Jackie attended grades K-8 at Sunny Brook School and graduated with the Dupree Class of ’57. She and Connie attended all the school reunions and enjoyed catching up with their classmates.

Jackie married Claude Speker in May of 1958. They resided in South Dakota and Missouri. Jackie said she felt like a gypsy, moving as many times as they did. Six children were born to this union - Brad, Milt, Beth Ann, Kelly, Tracy, and Claudine.

Jackie was very involved with her church and community. One of her greatest accomplishments was being a co-founder of the Dupree Baptist Church. She and her “sister,” Jan Wall, led many school concerts, as well as Vacation Bible Schools. She loved being part of community events, one being the famous Hee Haw show, where she will be remembered for her silly acting abilities.

Jackie and Claude divorced in 1989 and in August of 2003, she married Fred Joens. Jackie gained 7 stepchildren and enjoyed telling people she had 13 children. Jackie and Fred enjoyed life on his place until 2016. They then moved to Dupree, closer to Jackie’s sisters and children.

Jackie had a big heart and welcomed many people into her home, where she had a pot of coffee ready and playing cards warmed up. Most afternoons, she and her good friend, Mary Lu Griffith, would play Yahtzee. Gardening was a big passion of Jackie’s. Until her recent illness, she was still excited to be able to go out and hoe her garden.

She is survived by her husband, Fred Joens; her children Brad of Texas, Milt and Kelly of Dupree, Beth Ann (Larry) Grueb of Faith, Tracy (Glenda) of Nevada, and Claudine (Joel) Afdahl of Faith; sister Doris Hescock of Troy, MT; sister-in-law Joanie Bennett of Kalispell, MT; seven step-children: Lila (Cody) Briggs, Earl (Alice) Maier, Dale (Dency) Maier, Eva (Jeff) Hepper, Adam Joens, and Casey Joens; nine grandchildren: Travis (Ali) Grueb, Trevor (Kaylee) Grueb, Mona Long, Bradly (Alyssa) Speker, Luke Speker, Christopher (Sonja) Speker, Tyler (Molly) Bryant, Lesley Speker, Tori (Cal) Reeves, Josh Afdahl and 13 great-grandchildren; good friend Mary Lu Griffith; and numerous nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Mac and Don Bennett; sisters Connie Sever and Beatrice Kay Bennett (B.K.); sister-in-law Kathy Bennett; brothers-in-law Dallas Sever and Rex Heidlebaugh; nieces Mileen Stephens and Melody Bennett; stepson Alan Maier; and step-grandson Coy Hepper.

(Fred Joens’ address is Box 494, Dupree, SD 57623.)