Jeanne Horse

Jeanne Horse was born in Chadron, NE on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1953, to Imogene and Maurice Horse. She was the second of three daughters, following older sister Maureen and leading younger sister Luanne.

We grew up in Kenwood in Chadron and Jeanne treasured her lifetime friendships with all her Kenwood classmates, as well as friends she met in High School and College.

Our days and nights were spent at the baseball diamonds as our father coached baseball teams for many years. We enjoyed Claude Whitcomb announcing games, as did many families back in the days at Fitzgibbon Field.

Jeanne graduated from Chadron High School in 1971, attended UNL for a year but eventually returned to Chadron. She read about the “Experiment in International Living” and decided at age 20 that she wanted to go to Israel. She applied and was accepted to this school, where she had to complete boot camp, before leaving. Our parents were so worried sending her there! While there, she worked all summer on a Kibbutz, picking pears and learned how people lived in the Middle East. Jeanne was fiercely proud of her friends there. Several years later, a couple she met over there paid Jeanne a visit. She was delighted.

Traveling was important to Jeanne, and she went on several CSC Humanities Trips with Dr. Leonard and Mary Paulsen. They visited England, Spain, France, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Scotland, Italy and Greece.

When Jeanne returned from Israel, she began doing some typing for BIA schools, where our mother was employed.

Jeanne soon found employment at the Pine Pidge Elementary School in the Library and realized her calling. She loved all of her students, and she remained with the Elementary Library for 40+ years. She taught several generations of students and followed their school sports (Go Thorps!) all over South Dakota.

Jeanne also sponsored Cheerleading at Pine Ridge, taking many cheerleaders to the Aloha Bowl, as well as the Down Under Bowl in Australia, supporting the Pine Ridge Thorps, who played football there as well. She worked hard to keep her students on task as they competed for awards at workshops, clinics and performances.

She was a valued friend and employee during the Oglala Nation Basketball Tournaments held every year in Rapid City, SD. She made many life-long friendships there too.

Jeanne retired in May 0f 2016 and would walk daily at Chadron State Park. She kept up with all sports watching Little League baseball national playoffs, all college and pro-football (especially Denver) games, hockey and basketball games.

Jeanne passed from this earthly life on May 16, 2025. She wanted no funeral, but we will have a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on June 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM.

Survivors included sister Luanne (Karl) Witt, nieces Kolette (Travis) Gilbert, Kami (Aaron) Truax, great nephews Brady Gilbert, Preston (Clara) Gilbert, Hayden and Grayson Truax. Many cousins, Aunts and Uncles.

Jeanne was predeceased by parents Maurice and Imogene Horse, sister Maureen Hooker, brother-in-law Dr. Mark Hooker, Grandmother Ila Leacher, grandparents Joseph and Bertha Horse.

A memorial has been established for the Chadron Recue Unit or SuAnne Big Crow Boys and Girls Club. Donations can be mailed to Chamberlain Chapel P.O. Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337