Judy Whitehead

Judy J. “JJ” Jensen Whitehead, 55, of Blum, passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at her residence. The family will hold a memorial service at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 15, 2018, at the United Church of Christ in Alcester, South Dakota.

Judy was born on July 18, 1963 in Hawarden, Iowa to Bruce and Joyce (Skinner) Jensen. She graduated from Alcester High School in 1981 and joined the U.S. Air Force in April of 1982 and served her country for 20 years, retiring in May of 2002. She was always proud to serve and to be deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom after the twin towers fell on 9/11/2001.

Her duty stations included: Arizona, New Mexico, Japan and Alaska where she met the love of her life, John R. Whitehead and they were married on November 18, 1989. It was both the scariest moment and the happiest moment of her life.

JJ’s favorite things were puppy dogs and children, horses, welding, fishing trips, road trips with John reading and music. Thunderstorms....laughter and smiling eyes...family and friends were the most important things in her life!

Never pass up a chance to say I love you and steal a hug!

Her father preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband, John Whitehead of Blum; her mother, Joyce Jensen of Alcester, SD and 10 godchildren; brothers, Glenn Jensesn and Walter Jensen and sisters, Debra Jensen, Millie Klobstead and Pattie Williams, all of Alcester, South Dakota.

While on this ride called ‘life’, you have to take the good with the bad, smile when you’re sad, love what you’ve got and remember what you had. Always forgive, but never forget. Learn from your mistakes, but never regret. People change. Things go wrong. Just remember, the ride goes on.