Jesse Park Ward, 31 March 1933

Jesse Park Ward, 69, was born March 31, 1933 in Malad, ID to Jesse L. and Delila J. Ward. Jesse grew up and was educated in Malad. He attended one year of liberal arts at ISU. He was employed at Mountain Bell as a pole lineman until he was drafted into the US Army. Jesse served in the Signal Corps until his discharge on May 3, 1955. At that time he returned to Malad to work on the family farm with his father.

In June, 1956, he wed his lifelong love, Shirlee Marie Swenson. Five children were born to this union: Bonnie Marie, Donald LeGrande, Cheri Lynn, Terri Sue and Jess Nicholas. The family remained on the farm while Jesse worked at Thiokol, Crowthers Mill, Magic Gas and U&I Sugar.

Jesse was a good cattleman and farmer. He worked hard and long at both. He was chairman of the draft board for several years, and served on the MVI water board.

The American Legion held a very high spot in his life. He was an avid hunter and snowmobiler, and in his later life turned to fishing and traveling in his motor home.

On September 5, 2002, Jess passed away at the Oneida County Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer and related complications.

He is survived by his wife, Shirlee of 46 years; two daughters and husbands, Cheri and Chip Jacobsen; Terri and John Servoss; one son and wife, jess and Rhonda Ward; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild, the highlights of his life; one sister, Julie and Dick Persons of Anchorage, Alaska; one brother, Bill and Dixie Ward of Blackfoot. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, one daughter, Bonnie Marie, one son, Donald LeGrande.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Malad LDS Fifth Ward Chapel – September 9, 2002

Family Prayer – Bill Ward, nephew
Prelude & Postlude Music – Carla Williams
Invocation – Matt Jacobsen, grandson
Life Sketch – Cheri Jacobsen, daughter
Vocal Selection “You Again” by Jill Blaisdell, Sue Stevens & Cinniman Schwartz, acc. by Myra Jean John
Speaker – Bill Call, friend
Speaker – Rex Daniels, friend
Vocal “Inspiration of Hope” by Jill Blaisdell, Sue Stevens & Cinniman Schwartz, acc. by Myra Jean John
Remarks – Bishop Jay Hansen
Benediction – Dr. Gerald Goodenough, cousin

CONCLUDING SERVICE
Malad City Cemetery
Dedicatory Prayer – Eldon Nielsen, friend
Military Rites by American Legion, Ernest W. Jones Post #65

CASKET BEARERS
Jess N. Ward
John Servoss
Chip Jacosen
Ryan Jacobsen
Matt Jacobsen
Derlyn Goddard

Compassionate service by the Malad 5th Ward Relief Society sisters