Jeannette King

Jeannette (Spartz) King ObituaryJeannette (Spartz) King, 79 of Kranzburg, SD passed away on October 26, 2025 in Watertown, SD.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30am on Friday, October 31, 2025 at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kranzburg, SD with Father Christopher Hughes officiating.
Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00pm on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kranzburg, SD. Rosary to start at 7:00pm followed by a time of sharing.
Interment will be at the Holy Rosary Church Cemetery in Kranzburg.
Jeannette Marie (Ries) Spartz King May 29, 1946 – October 26, 2025
Jeannette Marie Ries was born on May 29, 1946, in Watertown, South Dakota, to Theodore "Ted" and Florence (Schmitz) Ries. The third of six children, she grew up on the family farm south of Kranzburg and attended Holy Rosary Grade School and Waverly High School.
On November 20, 1971, Jeannette married Bernard Spartz in Kranzburg, and together they made their home on the Spartz family farm just outside of town. From this union came three children, Steven Paul, Marcella (Marcy) Lynn, and Lynn Marie.
Throughout her life, Jeannette held many roles, but the one she cherished most was being a mother and homemaker. She also worked at Midtex (now Wurth Electronics), Waverly School food service, and the Human Service Agency. Her years at Waverly School were among her favorites, as they allowed her to see her children each day. She took pride in serving hearty, home-cooked meals to the students - carrying on a family tradition, as her own mother had also worked in food service at Holy Rosary Catholic School.
Jeannette and Bernard shared 26 years of marriage before his passing on January 2, 1998.
On January 10, 2003, Jeannette married Steve King in Watertown. Together, they made homes in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Omaha & Papillion, Nebraska; and Red Oak, Iowa. After their divorce, Jeannette returned to Watertown, where she lived until her passing.
A lifelong member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Jeannette served as President of the Altar Society and was a devoted member of the Grace Band. One of her proudest accomplishments was helping to publish the Holy Rosary Parish Cookbook - a collection of cherished recipes from the parish members.
A devoted mother and grandmother, Jeannette's greatest joy was her family. She was a wonderful homemaker who could turn a few simple ingredients into a delicious meal - just don't ask her to make brownies! She loved coffee dates with her sister Diane and niece Angie, Friday outings with her son Steve, and the 'Granny Outings,' that included her sisters, daughters, and granddaughters Morgan and Mallory, which often turned lively as the grannies feisty personalities came out. She also loved listening to her granddaughter Mallory sing, always encouraging her to "really sing it out loud!"
Jeannette was known for her kindness, gentle spirit, and deep love for her family. To her many nieces and nephews, she was affectionately known as "Auntie Jets". She especially loved holidays, family gatherings, and any occasion that brought everyone together. Her final wish was simple but meaningful: that her children would always stay close and remain connected, just as she loved them to be.
Jeannette is survived by her children, Steven (JoAnn) Spartz of Wallace, SD, Marcy (Mike) Kohl of Kranzburg, SD, and Lynn (Brendan "Beaner" Landmark) of Bemis, SD; her siblings, Diane Ries, Charlotte Ries, and Doug (Gayle) Ries, all of Watertown; sisters-in-law, Barbara Ries of Sioux Falls, SD and Elaine Ries of Watertown, SD; grandchildren, Morgan Kohl, Mallory Kohl, Amanda Sanftleben, Christopher (Sarah) Wittrock, William (Amanda) McBrien, Stephen (Breona) McBrien, Sarah (Elliott) Gray and Dan (Allison) Wittrock; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her four-legged "grand-pups", Bentley Eleanor, Nova Rose, and Letty Ariel, who belong to Lynn and Beaner.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard; her parents, Ted and Florence; her parents-in-law, George and Lucy Spartz; her brothers, Marvin and Jerome Ries; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mark (Esther) Spartz, Norbert (Catherine) Spartz, Paul (Liz) Spartz, Tommy (Leola) Spartz, Matt (Ramona) Spartz, Rosemary (Bernard) Dandurand, Marcella (Jim) Tracy and Helen (Harold) Sherman; and seven nieces and nephews.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family ~ www.wightandcomes.com
Jeannette (Spartz) King, 79 of Kranzburg, SD passed away on October 26, 2025 in Watertown, SD.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30am on Friday, October 31, 2025 at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kranzburg, SD with Father Christopher Hughes officiating.
Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00pm on Thursday, October 3