Jessie Irene Cress was born on October 7, 1920, in Dalzell, SD, to William and Etta Cress. Her family moved to Dalzell and began farming. Jessie went to school in Dalzell, Wasta, and New Underwood High School. Jessie was united in marriage to Robert Strong on November 13, 1937, in Buffalo, SD.

They lived near Union Center until 1955. The two then moved into Sturgis, SD, where they began a road construction company. They donated the time and equipment to help build the baseball field in Sturgis to bring in the semi pro team, the Sturgis Titans in 1961. The field remains named "Strong Field" and is home to the local high school and post teams. The two of them ran the construction company until Bob's untimely death in 1966. Jessie and Bob had 2 children, Dean Strong and Karen (Strong) Froelich.

After selling the construction company, Jessie spent the bulk of her time doting on and helping to care for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a loving, giving, and inspiring woman who was always there for her family. Jessie's loving and caring manner, with a side of discipline, made her a strong influence in her grandkids and great-grandkid's lives. She tried her best to teach manners, etiquette, and proper attire to all of them. Our families are better for her.

She was a 60 year member of the Eastern Star.

Jessie Strong, 96, died peacefully in the early morning on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at the Crook County nursing home.

She is survived by her son, Dean (Eileen) Strong, Spearfish, SD; her daughter, Karen (Don) Froelich, Laguna Hills, CA; brother, William (Mary) Cress, Rapid City, SD; granddaughters, Kim Page, Los Alamos, NM, and Nicole (Matt) Barlow, Sammamish, WA; grandsons, Bob (Sandy) Strong, Sioux Falls, SD, Ken (Michelle) Froelich, South Pasadena, CA, Darin (Karmon) Brickman, Kansas City, MO, and Lonnie (Linda) Strong, Rapid City, SD; 5 great-granddaughters, Jessica Engle, Mandy Plunkett, Megan Strong, Alyse Barlow, Kaleigh Strong, and Sophie Brickman; 12 great-grandsons, Jeremy, Ryan, and Justin Plunkett, Tyler and Travis Strong, Bryce and Chase Barlow, Austin and Alex Froelich, Keegan Engle, Jake and Joe Stevens, Nic Brickman, Christopher Hejde, and Brandon Page; and 6 great-great-grandkids.

Jessie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Strong; sisters, Maudeen Trask, Gertrude (Gertie) Chachula, and Opal (Babe) Lorenzo; brothers, Bud and Donald Cress; and granddaughters, Gina Engle and Glenda Plunkett.

Visitation will be Friday, November 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 26, 2016, at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. Interment will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery on Sheridan Lake Rd., Rapid City, SD.

A memorial has been established to Strong Athletic Field.

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