Jill Wellhouse | 1949 - 2023
Obituaries-Pierre / Posted Nov 11, 2023 | 8:04 AM / 171 views
PIERRE, SD –
Jill Wellhouse,74 was called home to the Lord surrounded by her family on November 9, 2023 at her home in Pierre. The family will greet visitors from 5:00pm-6:00pm on Friday December 1 at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, December 2 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pierre with burial at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.
Jill was Born on February 12, 1949, to Dr. Frank and Alberta Denton in Pierre, South Dakota. Jill attended school at Pierre Riggs High School, where she graduated in 1967 and furthered her education at South Dakota State University. After college Jill returned to Pierre where she married John Wellhouse in 1968. She worked at River Park Treatment Center, Charles Poches Law Offices, the Department of Social Services, and the South Dakota State Senate.
In her role at the Department of Social Services, Jill was instrumental in developing the Catastrophic County Poor Relief Program, providing much-needed assistance to those facing catastrophic health care expenses. Her dedication to maintaining the privacy of health care records led to her appointment as the Department’s first HIPPA Privacy Officer. Her tireless service, integrity, professionalism, and leadership were recognized by Governor M. Michael Rounds, who declared March 19, 2009, as Jill Wellhouse Day.
She served on the St. Mary’s Hospital Advisory Board, was a founding member of the Ss. Peter and Paul Folk Group, and a member of the South Madison Street Blues Group and PEO Chapter BJ. Jill Wellhouse was a woman of faith, her legacy of love, selflessness, and intelligence will be remembered by all who knew her.
Jill Wellhouse, a child of God, a servant of the community, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, has returned to the arms of the Lord. Let her spirit, her legacy, and her love forever remain in our hearts.
Jill is survived by her husband John, her children, Jonette (Craig) Herman and John Wellhouse II. Her grandsons, Cole Herman, Sawyer Wellhouse, and Griffin Wellhouse, were the apples of her eye, and she cherished every moment spent with them. Jill was also a beloved sister to Mary (Richard) Carter, Linda (Chuck) Denton-Rosing, Julie (Bill) Denton-Saltsman, Mike (Jean) Denton, and Frank (Susan) Denton.
Memorials can be made to the Pierre Education Foundation, Lutheran Memorial Church or Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
