Delores J. "Dodie" Jellesma

Delores J. "Dodie" Jellesma ObituaryDelores "Dodie" Jellesma (wife of Jerry) passed away at the age of 76 Saturday, July 19, 2025 in Watertown, SD.
Funeral mass will be 10:00am, Friday, July 25, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown.
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION: Visitation will be 4-7:00pm, with the rosary at 7pm, Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown.
Pallbearers will be Darin Baumberger, Jeff Munce, Brad Mack, Charlie Carter, Joe Tesch and Jason Dorman. Honorary pallbearer will be Jim Tesch.
Delores Jean (Mack) Jellesma was born in Watertown, SD on October 2, 1948 to Charles "Carl" and Eleanor (Perry) Mack. She grew up between Kranzburg, SD and Castlewood, SD, graduating from Castlewood High School in 1966.
On September 14, 1968 Delores was united in marriage to Jerome "Jerry" Jellesma at St. John's Catholic Church in Castlewood. They were blessed with two daughters.
Delores raised her family in Watertown where she also worked for Spies SuperValu, Country General, Premier Bank Card and Benet Place. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church. She enjoyed lunch dates with her friends and spending time with her family.
Some of the memories and characteristics the family will cherish the most are her courage, optimism, and selflessness. Her strength and trust in the Lord were inspiring. She was strong in her faith that never wavered. She still approached everyday with hopefulness as she battled cancer. You would have never guessed her diagnosis due to her constant positive outlook, strength and trust in the Lord's plan.
She lived a life full of faith and family. Dodie was very invested in all aspects of her grandkid's lives. She made each one of her grandkids feel like they were her first and only priority. Whether it was sports, friendships or life in general, she was always all ears and the first to cheer them on. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and she especially loved the night of Christmas Eve. On this night, all of her grandkids would gather to take part in the activities and games she spent months planning. This is where her playfulness and sense of humor would shine the brightest, leaving a permanent smile on her face for the entirety of the night. Though she is no longer with us, the values that she left us with will live on.
Left to cherish her life are her husband, Jerry; her children, Julie (Tim) Walter and Amy (Brad) Cordell; six grandchildren, Bailey (Jenna) VanSickle, Summer (Cole) Julius, Jayden (Anna) Cordell, Gracyn Walter, Annika Walter and Payton Walter; three great-grandchildren; her siblings, Greg (Marlene) Mack, Roxanne (Jim) Dorman, Carla (Vic) Carter and Shelly (Rob) Buxton; sisters-in-law, Donna (Pete) Mack and Margie (Brad) Spevak; and brothers-in-law, Mike (Evan) Jellesma and Donnie Jellesma.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Eleanor Mack; her in-laws, Jake and Elmira Jellesma; her sister and her brother-in-law, Mary Kaye and Larry Munce; and her grandparents, Bernard and Anna Perry and Anton and Mary Mack.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family ~ www.wightandcomes.com
Delores "Dodie" Jellesma (wife of Jerry) passed away at the age of 76 Saturday, July 19, 2025 in Watertown, SD.
Funeral mass will be 10:00am, Friday, July 25, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown.
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION: Visitation will be 4-7:00pm, with the rosary at 7pm, Thursday, July 24,