Jessie Sangster was born March 10, 1912 at Burke, South Dakota, the only child of Henry and Katie (Kock) Sander. She died December 6, 2006 at the Gregory Community Hospital in Gregory, South Dakota at the age of 94 years.

Jessie grew up on the farm south of Burke, which was the homestead of her parents. She attended grade school, grades first through third, at the Allum School, located east and north of the farm. She then attended Neuharth School # 52 Lone Star Township from fourth through eighth grade. In 1930, she attended South Dakota State University School of Agriculture Vocational High School and College equivalent at Brookings. After taking a year off from her classes to help on the farm, she graduated in 1935.

Jessie married Bert Sangster on November 28, 1939 in Omaha, Nebraska. They were the parents of two children, Robert and Elaine. The family made their home on the homestead farm, which Jessie continued to make her home until a year ago when she moved to Whispering Pines.

Jessies love for the farm showed in the way she cared for the farm, her pets, her flowers and she was an avid gardener. She always had plenty of garden vegetables to be canned and still had enough to be enjoyed by family and friends.

Jessie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bert; and her son-in-law, Glen Mahanke.

Jessie is survived by her daughter, Elaine Mahanke of Burke, SD; her son, Robert and wife Claudia of Herrick, SD; her granddaughters: Yolanda (Tim) Williams and Lora (Dale) Gernstein, both of Omaha, NE; Cheryl (Dan) Baxa of Herrick, SD and Brenda Sangster of Dante, SD; her great-granddaughters: Dana, Chelsa and Mandy Baxa; and her great-grandsons: Tristan and Kyle; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 1:00 PM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke, SD. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 8 PM, with a 7 PM prayer service, at the funeral home.

PORTRAIT OF A MOM

A halo that reflects a life of wisdom, kindness and caring.

Eyes that sparkled with pride and showed how much she believed in us.

Shoulders that had been slept on and wept on and carried a world or two.

Arms that never ran out of hugs, hands that knew just when to hold on, when to let go.

A mind filled with amazing things, from fairy tales to family tales and long-ago stories.

A smile that could jump right into your heart and warm you up faster than hot cocoa.

A heart of gold that held more love than anyone can possibly imagine.