Jean Walton, 87, died Friday at Dougherty Hospice House. She was born May 18, 1923 in Sioux Falls, daughter of Fred and Bessie (Babcock) Walton. She grew up on a farm near Flandreau graduating from Flandreau High School in 1941. She attended college in Madison, SD and then taught school in Flandreau, Bryant, the state of Washington, Brookings and Brainerd, MN. She returned to college and got a degree in elementary education and taught sixth grade in Vermillion and high schools arts. Jean learned about the Army Recreational Program while working with Senior High Girl Scouts. Then she worked with the program at Ft. Leonardwood, MO, the 5th Army Headquarters, Chicago and then transferred to Vietnam. When she returned from Vietnam she worked at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, Ft. Monroe, VA, and Ft. Greeley, AK. As Director of Army Arts and Crafts she did ceramics, photography, jewelry, woodworking and auto repair. She moved back to Sioux Falls when she retired and enjoyed flower gardening, reading, horses, dogs, fishing (but not eating them), ice cream and hanging out with her good friend, Cindy. Jean is survived by several cousins and her special friend, Cindy Marholz.


Services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau with burial in Union Cemetery, Flandreau.