Jesse Lyle Whitford was born February 17, 1937, in Bixby, SD, to Ira Alonzo and Ethel Agnes Whitford. He passed away January 15, 2023, at home with family by his side after a short battle with cancer.  He was the youngest boy of 10 siblings.

He spent his youth in Faith, SD, where he attended a country school.  He moved to Sturgis when he was 10 years old where he and the younger siblings of his family lived and attended school.  He joined the Navy when he was 17 years old – it was called the "Kiddie Cruise" because they could join at 17 and be out at age 21.  After leaving the Navy at age 21, he worked multiple jobs before joining the South Dakota Department of Transportation in 1968.  He worked there for 26 years, 4 months and 2 days – retiring in 1994.

Jesse met Suzanne Iris Mollerud at a dance in Vale, SD, and they were married one year later on December 6, 1958.  They settled down in Sturgis where they raised their four children: Leslie, Keith, Wanda, and Susie.  He and Sue enjoyed dancing at the Vets club and playing cards with friends in their younger years. When his children were young, he spent a lot of time with them fishing, hunting, and teaching them various skills.  He found peace and happiness with his horses for many years and passed the love and skill of horseback riding onto several of his grandchildren. He was an avid walker and made many friends and acquaintances around town during his walks.  He was a kind, gentle man loved by his family, friends and co-workers.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; brothers, Samuel, Myron and Merle; sisters, Corrine, Donna and Lois; and by his daughter, Wanda.  He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; three sisters, Janice, Sharon, and Betty; and his children, Leslie (Robin) Whitford, Keith (Karen) Whitford, and Susie (Kevin) Kuntz; 10 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

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