Jacquelin (“Jackie”) Blackford, age 95, of Brookings, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at The Neighborhoods at Brookview, surrounded by the love and gratitude of her three daughters. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 31 at 2 pm in the Great Hall of the McCrory Gardens Education & Visitor Center in Brookings.

Jackie was born on September 23, 1930 in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Harold A. and Gladys (Johnson) Morem. She grew up in Spring Valley, Minnesota and graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1948. She continued her education at St. Olaf College and then the University of Minnesota, graduating as a dental hygienist in 1951. Jackie was united in marriage to Philip Blackford on June 21, 1952 in Spring Valley and they then made their home in Brookings where Philip established his dental practice. Jackie was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Brookings, Hannah Circle and chapter BP, P.E.O., Women’s Club, Eastern Star, Brookings Country Club, the Senior Center and the South Dakota Art Guild.

Jackie and Phil enjoyed summer weekends at their Lake Poinsett cabin for over 50 years. Jackie was an avid golfer, playing her last round on her 90th birthday. She also enjoyed needlepoint and painting, as well as playing bridge and, in her later years, mahjong, with good friends. She also relished keeping track of the activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jackie is survived by her three daughters, Nancy (Charles) Van Dyke of St. Louis, MO, Barbara (Robert) Jones of Brookings, and Patricia Erickson (Ronald Wheeler) of Huron, SD. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Nancy (Jason) Freeze of Victor, ID, Mary Frances Van Dyke of Harbor Beach, MI, David (Tasha) Jones of Brookings, Matthew (Paige) Jones of Brookings, Elizabeth (Kevin) Jakuc of Edina, MN, and Ann Erickson (Robert Rodby) of Minneapolis, MN, as well as twelve beloved great-grandchildren.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Philip, in 2020.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the caring nurses and staff of Brookings Health System Hospice, as well as The Neighborhoods at Brookview.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Brookings Health System Foundation – Hospice Fund, 300 22nd Ave., Brookings, SD, 57006.