Barbara Joan Jespersen, age 81, of Alliance, Nebraska passed away Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Highland Park Care Center, Alliance, Nebraska.
Barbara was born January 4, 1943 in Alliance, Nebraska to Allen Boness and Rosezella (Roebuck) Boness. Barb grew up in Alliance, Nebraska with her older brothers Don, and Jerry, and her younger brother Greg. She graduated from Alliance High School, Class of 1961. Barb obtained her Cosmetology license after attending Beauty College in Scottsbluff. Duane took her to Lincoln to set for her boards. She always stated and just recently before her illness when she would meet someone new or even old acquaintances “This is my story and I’m sticking to it” I have had my Cosmetology License for 63 years and never practiced and decided to become the hired hand on the farm and raise a family.
On August 19, 1962, Barbara Boness was united in marriage to Duane Jespersen at Saint John’s United Lutheran Church, ELCA, in Alliance, Nebraska and blessed to have been married 58 years upon Duane’s passing in 2021. She was a member of the St. John’s United Lutheran Church, Alliance, Nebraska, and Victory Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona. They began their married life living in the house built in 1906 by Duane’s grandfather, Jesper Jespersen, on the Lone Tree Ranch homestead southwest of Hemingford where they farmed, raised cattle, and later added pigs to their farm operation. In 1976 they built a larger home on the same place to raise their family. To this union six children were born Dawn, Dana, Danette, Darin born August 24, 1972 and died at four days, Darby, and Derrick.
In 2000 Duane and Barb began going to Mesa, Arizona for the winter months where they enjoyed the ‘Valley of the Sun’, and later moved to Mesa. In 2008 they retired from farming, and then would return from Mesa every summer to help their sons with the farm work, attended the grandchildren’s school activities, and visited with family and friends. Barb would do field work for many years after retirement and operated the grain cart while Duane harvested com. Barb had a wonderful voice and sang with her whole heart in church every Sunday and also weddings and funerals.
Those left to cherish and honor Barbara’s memory are her five children and their spouses, twelve grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Dawn and Will Fiscus, Cheyenne, Wyoming; children, Jessica Fiscus, Cheyenne, Wyoming, children Dameon Fiscus and Fionna Seid at home; Justin Fiscus and Breanne Ramirez, Torrington, Wyoming. Dana Jespersen, Alliance, Nebraska; son, Brennan Jespersen, Alliance, Nebraska. Danette and Henry Holguin, Gilbert, Arizona; her children Danae Hefty, Chandler, Arizona, Devin Hefty and Draysen Hefty, Gilbert, Arizona. Darby and Autumn Jespersen, Hemingford, Nebraska; children, Tarin Jespersen, Hemingford, Nebraska; Kage Jespersen, Lincoln, Nebraska; and Storm Jespersen and Geoff Toler(Fiance) Hemingford, Nebraska. Derrick and Cassie Jespersen, Hemingford, Nebraska; children, Rayne, Kyra, and Rye Jespersen at home. Barb’s brothers Don Boness of Denver Colorado, Greg and Selina Boness of Custer, South Dakota. Duane’s sister and brother-in-law, Devona and George
Tschacher, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Also, many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Barb was preceded in death by her husband Duane Jespersen, their infant son, Darin Jesper Jespersen, grandson Dayne Jakob Hefty at 19 months, and born still granddaughter Jennica Mariah Jespersen, her parents, Allen Boness and Rosezella (Boness) Langmacher, brother Jerry Boness, and sister-in-law Twila Boness. Duane’s parents, Elvin ‘Pat’ and Mabel (Jordan) Jespersen, brother-in-law Darwin Jespersen, sister-in-law Shirley Jespersen, and sister-in-law Carol Jespersen.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 7, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Saint John’s United Lutheran Church, Alliance, Nebraska. Inurnment will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Cards may be mailed to Barbara Jespersen family, in care of Dana Jespersen, 807 Dakota Avenue, Alliance, Nebraska, 69301 for a memorial to be named at a later date.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.