Jennifer was born in Fargo, ND on May 6, 1967 and adopted by Bill and Edna (Roehl) Whitmore. She attended Stanley Elementary and graduated from Stanley High in 1985. During high school she participated in 4-H, cheerleading, speech, horse shows and rodeos. She attended University of North Dakota for a year and later went on to obtain a Bachelors of Science in Education, from MSU in 2006.

She moved back to Stanley area where she raised her 5 children, each of which she deeply loved and treasured in their own unique way. She was a loving mother with high expectations for behavior, order and education all while teaching the value of family through laughter, sportsmanship, sharing meals, playing board games and snuggling up to watch a movie. She could always be found cheering on her children at events whether it be at a rodeo, hockey, volleyball, football or gymnastics, and was also involved with coaching softball, basketball, speech and 4H.

In 2009 she married Steve Nelson, and was loved and adored by her husband and together they shared many laughs and good times. They enjoyed going to Deadwood, riding motorcycle, attending sporting events and camping at the lake. One of her greatest dreams was to remodel the original home on the farm and together they saw that dream come true.

She loved the sunshine on her face and the wind in her hair as she rode horse across the prairie. She loved the feel of the earth as she planted flowers, mowed the lawn and decorated her yard and the goodness of a home cooked meal. She loved looking over all the beauty she had created, from the yard to the table, and took great pride in not only her appearance, but that of those she loved and her home. Jen was a strong, independent, fun loving, intelligent woman who treasured every moment with her family and friends.

The farm wasn’t just her home, it represented all the things she loved in the world. As she watched the cycles of the cattle and crops, she came to know the importance of time and seasons, and came to understand, how quickly they pass, as she watched the lives of her children, and her own, grow and unfold.

Jen will be deeply missed by her husband, Steve; sons, Tibbs (Logan) Moore and Willie Nelson; daughters, Lacey Johnson, Kenzie Johnson, and Lizzie Nelson; grandchildren, Ashton Peterson and Layana Moore; father, Bill (Anna Marie) Whitmore; step brothers, Scott (Stacie) Dibble and Brad (Ann) Dibble; step sister, Paige Wahl; mother-in-law, Caryn Nelson.

Jen was preceded in death by two daughters, Mara Johnson and Laney Moore; mother, Edna Whitmore; grandparents, William Sr. and Nellie Whitmore and August and Martha Roehl; uncle, Curt Whitmore; aunt, Betty Whitmore; step brother, Dana Dibble.

Memorial Contribution