Agnes Olive Jackley

Ashton, Iowa Agnes O. Jackley, 98 of Duarte, CA, formerly of Watertown, SD and Ashton, IA, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at Santa Teresita Manor in Duarte. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 23, 2012 St. Marys Catholic Church in Ashton, IA. There will be a one hour visitation prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at St. Marys Cemetery in Ashton. Agnes Olive Jackley was born November 17, 1913 to Hakon and Rena (Berg) Ruden at Nowlin, SD. Her mother died when Agnes was three years old at which time she was sent to Castlewood, SD where she was raised by her aunt and uncle Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Emerson. She attended school in Castlewood, graduating from Castlewood High School. Agnes moved to Ashton, IA and married Alvin Jackley on November 22, 1937. The couple lived in Ashton all of their married life. Alvin passed away on December 29, 1968. Agnes moved to Watertown in 1970 where she was employed as a nurses aide at Jenkins Nursing Home until her retirement in 1977. In 1998 she moved to Arcadia, CA to live near a nephew. She remained in excellent health well into her 90s at which time she broke a hip and entered Santa Teresita, a nursing home run by the Carmelite sisters. Agnes passion was reading mystery novels and she often devoured a book a day well into her 90s. In addition to reading she enjoyed crocheting, knitting and tending to her African Violets. Agnes was loved by staff and residents at Santa Teresita for her sharp mind and keen wit. Agnes was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and St. Elizabeth Circle in Watertown, the Watertown Historical Society, and Goodwin, SD VFW Auxiliary 6361. Agnes is survived by her nieces and nephews. Local survivors include her nieces, Patty Howey and Mickey (Norwin) Sather of Watertown. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her one sister, Helen (Mrs. Nick Weber); and five brothers: Melvin, Allen, Ernest, Gilbert and Dean.