Jeanette Duerst

Jeanette Ann (Fray) Duerst was born on August 22, 1939, in Vermillion, South Dakota, to Vina (Johnson) and Rolf Fray. She was the younger twin to her brother, Jerald “Jerry” Rolf Fray (wife Carolyn), and had a younger sister, Linda, who passed away in 1990 from Multiple Sclerosis. Jeanette grew up on a farm south of Centerville, SD. When she was just 8 years old, she lost her father in a farming accident. She attended country school in Dalesburg in a one-teacher schoolhouse, where she and her brother were the only two children in the class, through the 8th grade. The family then moved to Centerville, where she graduated from Centerville High School in 1957.

Jeanette married Allen Morris Duerst on April 15, 1961, at 21 years old, at Dalesburg Baptist Church. Allen lovingly called her “Kid.” She was a stay-at-home mom while their daughters, Tamara “Tami” and Teresa, were young, and later began working at their elementary school for two years. Over the years, she worked at Lucas & Theme, a clothing store, and started her banking career with First National Bank in Pierre and Sioux Falls. She and Allen moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to be closer to their grandchildren, Aaron and Shane, where she worked at Bank West of Nevada. Throughout her banking career, she worked her way up from teller to management and ultimately to Vice President before retiring and moving with Allen to Mesa, Arizona, where they lived for 12 years. Together, they enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Jamaica, Alaska, Mexico, and many other destinations until they moved back to Beresford - where Allen ultimately passed away from cancer in 2018. She and Allen were longtime members of First Baptist Church in Pierre.

After Allen’s death, Jeanette lived in Rapid City near her daughter Teresa, before moving back to Arizona near her daughter Tami, where she ultimately passed away. She went peacefully to be with Jesus on January 3, 2026, at 86 years old, after living with dementia in her later years.

Jeanette loved going for walks and reading, and she was known for her warm, outgoing personality. She was always very popular and had many dear friends throughout her life. Her kindness, generosity, and natural ability to care for everyone around her made her a beloved presence in every community she was part of.

She is survived by her daughters, Tami Ivers (husband Skot) and Teresa Parker (husband Jeff); five grandchildren: Aaron Parker (wife Kelsey), Shane Parker, Mikayla Murray (husband Chad), Kelsey Sampayan (husband Brandon), and Kody Ivers (wife Joy); and three great-grandchildren - Noah, Kaylie, and Kaladin. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Carolyn, wife of her twin brother Jerry. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen; her twin brother, Jerry; her mother, Vina; her father, Rolf; her sister, Linda; her mother-in-law, Ella, and father-in-law, Elmer Duerst.

Jeanette was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by all of her family. A memorial visitation will be held from 2-4PM on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford, SD.