In Loving Memory of

James “Jim” Francis Jeans

Jim Jeans was born on December 27, 1929 in Stillwater, Minnesota to William and Frances Holms Jeans.  He grew up in Stillwater and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1947.  Following high school Jim attended Railroad Telegraph School and worked for Chicago North Western Railroad (CNW).  Jim married his high school sweetheart Cathy Peterson on October 7, 1950 in Stillwater.  On January 6, 1953 Jim was drafted into the United States Army.  Following his discharge on January 5, 1955 they moved to Worthington, MN and Jim continued working for CNW.  In 1957 they moved to Slayton, MN where Jim started Jeans Soft Water in Slayton and ran that until 1962.  Jim then went to work for State Farm Insurance in Slayton and remained there for 30 years retiring in 1992.  In 2015 they moved to Sioux Falls, SD to be near family.  Jim passed away at his home in Sioux Falls, SD on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at the age of 86.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton where he served as elder and trustee.  He also was a member of the Slayton JC’s and Slayton Kiwanis where he served as past President and held many other offices within the organization.  Jim also served on the Airport Commission.  Jim enjoyed spending time with his family, flying airplanes, golfing, fishing, traveling and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Cathy Jeans of Sioux Falls, SD two children, Susie VanDyke and her husband, Dave of Canton, SD, and Thomas Jeans of Martin, SD; five grandchildren, Brigitt and Matt Gunelson, Justin VanDyke, James and Deana Jeans, Mark and Melanie Jeans, and Danielle Jeans-Lewis and Jeremy Lewis; three great-grandchildren, Haley, Mariah and Dylan Jeans; one sister, Pat Meeds and her husband, Hub of White Bear Lake, MN; two sisters-in-law, Audrey Jeans of Stillwater, MN, and Betty Jeans of St. Paul, MN.  He is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Dan and Dick Jeans.

Funeral Services

Trinity Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Doug Minton officiating.  The organist is Kathy Schwartz with special music by Hub Sandman. The pallbearers are Brigitt Gunelson, James Jeans, Mark Jeans, Danielle Jeans-Lewis, Jeremy Lewis and Dave VanDyke.  The honorary pallbearers are Orville Grieme, Clayton Torbert, Kim Holm, Hub Sandman, Bob Schreurs, Ron Erickson and Warren Hanson.  Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.  Military honors accorded by the Slayton American Legion Post and the Slayton VFW Post.