Harold A. Joneson, 92, died on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at his home in rural Valley Springs.
Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon, with burial to follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Valley Springs. Visitation will begin at 3:00 PM on Tuesday at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Harold A. Joneson was born on March 3, 1920 the fourth born of eight children to Gus and Johanna (Nielson) Joneson on the family farm in rural Valley Springs, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church in rural Valley Springs. Harold received his education at Sunny Wood district school # 46 until the eighth grade when he was needed to work the family farm due to his father’s failing health. As a child he refused to own a bicycle, insisting the only method of reliable transportation was riding on a horse.
On June 26, 1949, Harold was united in marriage with DeLores “Dee” K. Semmen in Flandreau, SD. The couple lived on a farm north of Valley Springs where they raised their two children. In 1966 they moved into Brandon, SD and lived there until making their home on an acreage south of Valley Springs in 1972. For 46 years, Harold made his career as a cattle buyer at the Sioux Falls Stockyards. Harold retired at the age of 65 and then began a second career with the Valley Springs Township; grading roads, plowing snow, and spraying until the age of 90. While working for the township, he also enjoyed hauling livestock all over the county.
Harold had a great love for his community and a tremendous pride in his family. He especially loved sharing stories of the history of Valley Springs with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend who will be dearly missed.
Grateful for having shared his life are his two children, Richard Joneson and his wife, Lisa, Shawnee, OK, and Julie Padgett and her husband, Steve, Sioux Falls, SD; granddaughter, Sheri Padgett, Brandon, SD; grandson, Chad Pagdett and his wife, Alisha, Brandon, SD; four great-grandchildren, Colton, Mason, Alyvia and Avalynn Padgett all of Brandon, SD; two siblings, Lois Hansen and her husband, Ralph, Brandon, SD and Myron Joneson and his wife, Margaret, Dell Rapids, SD.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Johanna Joneson; wife, Dee in 2010; five sisters, Helen Mathison, Norma Alink, Alice Lee, Jane Olson and Marjorie Jacobson.