Thallis Nadean McKeown Jensen, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away at the Estelline Nursing Home at the age of 102, leaving behind a lifetime of family, music, hard work, creativity, and cherished memories.

Thallis was born on September 25, 1923, to Earl and Ethel McKeown on a farm southeast of White, South Dakota. When she was three years old, Thallis and her brothers, Everett, Wayne, Beverly, Gordon, and Verle, moved three miles south to a farm given to her father, Earl McKeown, by his parents, William and Mary McKeown. Her sister, Delores, was born on this farm in 1927.

Thallis attended Country Corner Grove #30 and graduated from White High School in 1942. Music was an important part of her life from an early age. She sang in chorus and played trumpet in the school band. As a member of a brass sextet, she and her fellow musicians received first place in the state contest. Following high school, Thallis attended business college in Omaha, Nebraska, and worked for the Union Pacific Railroad in the keypunch department. Her love of music continued in Omaha, where she played trumpet in the Union Pacific Band and also performed with the All-Girls Symphony Orchestra, working for her room and board with the Laird and Gaul families.

During World War II, Thallis became engaged to Harlof Jensen while he was serving in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945 in the Aleutian Islands. Harlof served as a medic and also played accordion to entertain the troops. Their shared love of music would remain a special part of their life together.

Thallis and Harlof were married on October 28, 1945, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, South Dakota. They made their home in Brookings, where Thallis worked as a cashier at Montgomery Ward and Harlof was employed at Beckman’s John Deere. In 1950, they moved to the West Front farm, which they rented and farmed for 15 years. They later purchased a farm in Argo Township, approximately ten miles north of Brookings, where they lived until 1991. They then moved to White, South Dakota.

Thallis and Harlof were members of Pioneer Lutheran Church in White, South Dakota. Music continued to be a special part of their family life. Harlof was an accomplished accordionist with the Merry Makers of Bruce and his own band, Harlof Jensen and the Bluebirds.

Thallis found joy in many hobbies and was especially talented with her hands. She enjoyed crafts and sewing and made many beautiful quilts and rugs for family members. She also enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, playing Bingo at the VFW in Brookings, bowling, playing horseshoes, and going to auctions. Through her crocheting and quilting, she created treasured keepsakes that will continue to remind her family of her love and care for them.

Thallis’ life was marked by both great joys and profound loss. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harlof, who passed away on July 21, 1995; her son, Harlan, who was tragically lost in a boating accident on May 21, 1961; her five brothers; one sister; sister-in-law Arloene Jensen; brother-in-law Alvin Jensen; and son-in-law Pichar Tipargon.

She is survived by her daughter, Dianne Jensen Tipargon of Reno, NV; sons Allen Jensen of Brookings, SD, and Roland (Becky) Jensen of Humboldt, IA; step-grandchildren Malinda Norris of Mesa, AZ, and Machelle Norris of Burt, IA; along with many nieces and nephews.

Thallis leaves behind a remarkable legacy. Her life touched generations through her music, creativity, strength, colorful personality, and, most of all, her love for her family. The quilts she made, the games she played, the music she enjoyed, and the memories she created will remain treasured reminders of a remarkable woman who lived to the age of 102 years and 11 months.

A Celebration of Thallis' Life will be held at a later date.