Barbara Jones, 79, White River, SD passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Dec 5th 2015 at the White River Community Events Center. Visitation will be from 10:00AM – 11:00AM with the praying of the Rosary beginning at 11:00AM in the Catholic Church in White River. Burial will follow in the White River Cemetery.

Barbara (Barb) Ann Jones died on November 25, 2015, in Sioux Falls, SD, at age 79. She was born in Randolph, Nebraska in 1936. She grew up in Randolph, where her parents, Al and Dorothy Sauser, owned a local gas station. She attended Mount Marty College and graduated with a degree in Medical Technology. Upon graduation, she began her career in Mitchell, SD. While there, she met Eugene (Gene) Jones, who had recently graduated from USD and was teaching school in Scotland, SD. They became engaged, and were united in marriage on August 16, 1958. After a year, Gene began law school at USD. Janet, their first daughter was born in June of 1959. After Gene graduated, they moved to White River, SD, where he set up his law office. Twin daughters Julie and Kathy, were born in 1961 and son Robert was born in 1968.
Barb and Gene started a ranch in Mellette County, which is still run today by the family. During those years, Barb worked with Social Services in Mission to find work for people on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, and then later in the Rosebud Hospital as a medical technologist. She began working at the White River Health Clinic in 1974. During this time, she was instrumental in starting the first ambulance service for the area, and was an EMT with that service. She also served as the county coroner and on the Mellette County Mental Health Board for many years. She worked in the health clinic for 32 years before retiring in 2006. She was active in the Catholic Church and Altar Society, along with several medical technology organizations. She and Gene were a constant presence at their children's and grandchildren's school activities, concerts, sporting events, and art shows. She loved music, her grandchildren, the sky, dogs – particularly boxers, football, and the rain. Kind, compassionate, and deeply spiritual, she will always be remembered not only for her work in the clinic, but also as a nurse, teacher, caregiver and healer for the community.
Barb lost her lifelong partner Gene, who died in 2004 while feeding cattle on their beloved ranch. Shortly after, she received a devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease - an incurable disease that she faced with amazing courage and grace. She moved to Sioux Falls in 2009 where she lived until her death in 2015.
Grateful for having shared her life are her daughters Janet (Lynn) Hartsell of Canton, SD; Julie (George) Ludvik of White River; Kathy (Brad) Jeffords of Clemmons, NC; and Rob Jones and special friend Julie Jacobs of White River. Grandchildren include Jessica Ludvik of Artesian, SD; Chelse (Craig) Jewell of Omaha, NE; Karlee Ludvik of San Jose, CA; Kale Jeffords of Davidson, NC; and Tyler Jeffords of Cary, NC. She has one surviving sister, Joni Russ of Boone, NC.
Barb was preceded in death by her husband Gene; her parents Al and Dorothy Sauser, brothers Jim, Bill and Paul; and granddaughter Alicia Jones.