This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Ward, Swenson Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Qg.2ADE/309 Message Board Post: Idaho State Journal, 09/07/02 MALAD — Jesse Park Ward, 69, was born March 31, 1933, in Malad, Idaho, to Jesse L. and Delila J. Ward. Jesse grew up and was educated in Malad. He attended one year of liberal arts at ISU. He was employed at Mountain Bell as a pole lineman until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Jesse served in the Signal Corps until his discharge on May 3, 1955. At that time he returned to Malad to work on the family farm with his father. In June 1956, he wed his lifelong love, Shirlee Marie Swenson. Five children were born to this union: Bonnie Marie, Donald LeGrande, Cheri Lynne, Teri Sue and Jess Nicholas. The family remained on the farm while Jesse worked at Thiokol, Crowthers Mill, Magic Gas and U&I Sugar. Jess was a good cattleman and farmer. He worked hard and long at both. He was chairman of the draft board for several years, and served on the MVI water board. The American Legion held a very high spot in his life. He was an avid hunter and snowmobiler, and in his later life turned to fishing and traveling in his motor home. On September 5, 2002, Jess passed away at the Oneida County Hospital after a long and courageous battle with cancer and related complications. He is survived by his wife, Shirlee, of 46 years; two daughters and husbands, Cheri and Chip Jacobsen, Teri and John Servoss; one son and wife, Jess and Rhonda Ward; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild (the lights of his life); one sister, Julia and Dick Persons of Anchorage, Alaska; one brother, Bill and Dixie Ward of Blackfoot. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, one daughter, Bonnie Marie, one son, Donald LeGrande. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Sept. 9, 2002, at noon in the Malad LDS Fifth Ward Chapel, 20 S. 100 W. Friends may call at the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N., Malad, on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Monday at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow in the Malad City Cemetery with military rites by the American Legion, Ernest W. Jones Post No. 65.