Jessie Wilson Harris

Jessie Dawn Wilson was born September 27, 1919 to Ira and Graphia Wilson in their home in Campbell County Wyoming. She was third in line of 5 children born to Ira and Graphia. Her siblings are Viola Warlow (Gene), Gertrude "Joe" Robinson (Dick), Duglas Wilson (Pauline Brander) and Eva Mader (Bob).

Jessie grew up where she was born on Duck Creek near Oshoto, WY. She attended country school up to the 8th grade and then caught a ride with the mail man to attend high school in Gillette, WY. During the time that she boarded in Gillette and only coming home on the weekends, she became very homesick. She caught a ride back home and never returned to town but continued her studies via correspondence.

She eventually went to Black Hills College in Spearfish SD to get her teachers accreditation. Once she was accredited, she returned to Duck Creek and taught school in the country school. She would ride horseback 6 miles to the school house. She talked about riding in the dark both to and from school as she would get to the school house early to start a fire and warm it up.

Many times on her way home, she would give her horse it's head and trust her horse to take her home through the canyon in the dark or in blizzards. While being a teacher, she met James "Jimmy" Harris and they fell in love.

Once her school year was over, they were married on June 15, 1941 in Biddle, MT after Jimmy had tromped wool all day for the shearing crew. They had a simple life and their love for each other brought Dave Harris (Joanne Wead) of Circle, MT, Donna Weeden (Harry) of Banner, WY, and Dixie Knutson (Pete) of Newberry Springs, CA, into this world. Jimmy and Jessie lived and raised their children near Ridge MT until Jimmy passed away in 1981. Jessie then moved to Spearfish SD where she resided for many years. She moved again to Gillette WY before her final move to a resting home in Terry MT.

Jessie was preceded in death by her sister Viola, sister "Joe", brother Duglas, husband Jimmy, and grandson Devin.

Jessie has 7 remaining grandchildren; Brent Harris (Gaby), Bill Harris (Renee), Julianne Harris, Bart Wilson (Brenda), Boni Jo Kuhbacher (Jason), Kristin Larson (Chris), Dustin Knutson (Jennifer): 19 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Jessie will be remembered as tenderhearted, strong, humorous, prankster, teacher, poet, painter, disciplinarian, but most importantly, Christian. She had a heart for seeing the lost come to Jesus and she shared the gospel everywhere she went.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Samaratin's Purse in memory of Jessie Harris.

Funeral services were held July 5 at the Wesleyan Church in Ridge, MT. Interment followed in the Ridge Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting http://www.stevensonandsons.com.