Funeral services for Jean Farlee, 76, of Dupree were held November 10, 2023, at the Pioneer Hall in Dupree. Burial was at the Dupree Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Jean passed away Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Fountain Springs Healthcare Center in Rapid City.
Jean Ileen Miller was born on December 17, 1946 in Dupree to Lewis “Cully” and Margaret Miller. She grew up south of Dupree and attended grade school at White Swan School, located near their home, then Dupree High School.
Jean married Clinton Farlee on May 28, 1963. To this union five children were born: Kent James in 1963, Shelley Marie in 1964, Kristi Rae and Kathy Kay in 1973 and Shane Clinton in 1975.
Clint was drafted into the U.S. Army and after their marriage they moved to El Paso, TX where he was stationed. After he was discharged, they moved back to Dupree and bought land from Jean’s parents to begin ranching. Jean was an integral part in making the ranch a success. She helped milk cows, sold cream and eggs, worked in the field, and was well known by neighbors and friends for the exceptional meals that she served for brandings and gettogethers, all the while keeping up with all the housework. Jean always had a beautiful yard and spent many hours mowing, weeding, and taking
December 17, 1946 – November 2, 2023
care of her flower beds.
Jean loved to play cards and board games, but she really loved trivia and was very good at answering questions. Jean never watched TV, she read. She read anything and everything she could get her hands on. She had subscriptions to several area newspapers and got magazines of all kinds. When the internet came along, she spent hours reading and learning things there. She also knew all the local history, and if you were wondering about someone or something from the past in the Dupree area, she usually could tell you all about it.
Jean’s family was always very important to her. She made sure that there were reunions every summer to bring them all together.
Jean was an active member of American Legion Auxiliary Edwin Hodgdon Unit #124 in Dupree where she was a member for 50 years. She served as the local president for many years and as the District president for a term. She helped put on many programs, teas, and other events to honor area veterans.
In Clint and Jean’s 60 years of marriage, they not only worked together but spent time traveling to various conventions, the NFR in Vegas, and to visit family around the country.
Jean is survived by her husband Clint Farlee of Dupree; daughters Shelley (Rusty) Brehmer and Kathy (Shawn) Olsen of Dupree; son, Shane (Kayla) Farlee of Dupree; grandchildren: Jill (Danny) Marshall, Russell Brehmer, Shayna Farlee, Emily and Spencer Olsen; great-grandchildren: Landon, Jayden, Jess and Jacalyn Marshall and Clinton and Arlo Farlee; brother Lewie (Colleen) Miller of Athol, ID; sister Liz Eberhard of Rapid City; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; children Kent and Kristi Farlee; grandchildren Jessie Brehmer and Clinton Cully Farlee; brothers Robert “Bob,” Gerald “Jerry” and Donald “Donnie” Miller; and sisters Inez Miller and Maggie Laurenz.
Memorials can be sent to the Ziebach County Historical Society, PO Box 452, Dupree, SD 57623.
(Clint Farlee’s address is Box 16, Dupree, SD 57623,)