Jean Drummond Obituary

Jean (Stukel) Drummond

June 13, 1942 - July 2, 2025

Jean (Stukel) Drummond, 83, died peacefully at her residence in the Touchmark retirement community in Bend, Oregon, on July 2, 2025. A resident of Rapid City, South Dakota for more than 40 years, she will be remembered by friends and family for her genuine kindness, her relentless positivity, and her warm, welcoming spirit.

Jean was born on June 13, 1942, to Frank and Margaret Stukel, in Gregory, South Dakota, where she was raised with her nine siblings. As an active member of Gregory High School, she participated in debate, cheerleading, and a variety of school activities. She later attended university at the College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, where she was selected as 1963's "All St. Mary's Girl," before graduating in just three years with a degree in Speech and Drama. Upon graduation she worked as a high school teacher and eventually as Director of Admissions for St. Mary's. While in Omaha she met her husband, Ron Drummond. The two were married near Gregory on April 15, 1967, and stayed together for 53 happy, adventurous years until Ron's death in 2020.

From 1967 to 1975 Jean and Ron moved around the country, with Jean supporting them as Ron completed medical school. They also began having children, Dave, while they lived in Denver; Rob, while they were in San Diego; and Kate in Rapid City, where they had decided to make their home.

For over 40 years in Rapid City, Jean was a devoted parishioner of the Catholic Church and actively involved in several local groups and organizations. She enjoyed many enduring friendships and proudly supported her children as they grew up and eventually made lives of their own. She loved to entertain and often hosted friends and family on holidays. Later in life Ron and Jean enjoyed traveling the country in their RV and seeing the world with their friends.

Throughout Jean's life, her roles as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend were her top priorities. She was remarkably attuned to the needs of others, and everyone she knew valued her friendship and support. Laughter and love were at the heart of all the connections she made. Her laughter was often contagious, even when she was enduring the affectionate teasing of her husband and children.

After Ron died, Jean sold the home she and Ron built in 1978 and moved to Bend, Oregon to be close to her children and grandchildren. In this chapter of her life, she made many new friends, but above all enjoyed being close to her family. As her health waned, visits and video calls from her devoted grandchildren provided cheer and comfort.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Drummond; her parents, Frank and Margaret Stukel; her brothers, Ray Stukel and Cal Stukel; her sister, Corine Thomas; her brothers-in-law, Royce Mattson, Larry "Short" Thomas and Tom Shouse; and her niece, Theresa Thomas. She is survived by her three children, Dave Drummond (Shari Storm), Rob Drummond (Kristy Kelly), and Kate Drummond (Stephen Williams); honorary family member, Jerald Rock (Shannon Cain); and her eight beautiful grandchildren, Bekah, Lexie, JoJo, Nolan, Alaya, Thea, Alden and Baker.

A vigil and wake will be held on Sunday, July 13th, at 5 p.m., at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City (visitation 4 to 5 p.m.). The funeral will take place Monday, July 14th, at 11 a.m., at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City, with the burial on Tuesday, July 15th, at 12:30 p.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory, S.D.

In lieu of flowers, memorial funds can be donated in Jean's name to the Rapid City Public School Foundation's "Fed and Ready to Learn" campaign.

Please visit the online memorial for Jean at: www.OsheimSchmidt.com.