Jacqueline Jean Whisonant

Jacqueline “Jackie” Jean Whisonant, 86, of rural Winnett, Montana, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025, while surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 1, 1939, to her parents, Elliot and Edna (Maxwell) Trump, in Rapid City, South Dakota.

In early childhood, Jackie lived with her sisters and parents near the Flatwillow Dance Hall south of Winnett, with her parents managing the Nebraska Feeding Company for many years. When in grade school they moved to and leased the Ernest Hanson place running cattle for over a decade on the confluence of Boxelder, McDonald, and Flatwillow creeks. It is here where she met a fellow ranch kid and the future love of her life, Joe Whisonant.

Jackie and Joe were married in 1957 while she was taking classes at Billings Business College and Joe was attending Rocky Mountain College. During this time, they leased and eventually purchased the Whisonant family ranch, running cattle, performing work, and developing the ranch as time allowed on weekends and during the summer breaks.

After Joe graduated from college in 1960, they moved to Richey, MT where sons Don and Bob were born. In 1968, they moved to Chinook MT, splitting time between Chinook and their ranch east of Winnett for the next 30 years. Jackie worked many years at Sharples Jewelry in Chinook, before they located to the ranch east of Winnett fulltime in 1989.

Jackie loved ranch life and especially the livestock, pets’, wildlife, and gardening. She was an accomplished rancher, cow and horse person, learning those skills from parents. In later years, she was able to look out the ranch house window and tell Joe about many cattle problems needing addressed, sometimes more than he wanted to hear. More recently, she was elated to be in partnership with her grandson, Gabe, in the cattle and ranching operation.

She was active in community and civic activities including AAU Wrestling Master Pairer, Quilting Club, Bridge Club, and Eastern Star.

Family was very important to Jackie, spending time on holidays with her parents, in-laws, nieces and nephews, and sister’s family when possible. She loved playing cards with her family, neighbors and friends, especially pinochle. Jackie was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her sons can’t recall her missing a school concert or activity, sporting event, graduation, milestone, or wedding. In later years, she and husband Joe traveled to many of the Grandkid’s concerts, wrestling, swimming, and track events. She also loved visits and stays at the ranch by friends, immediate and extended family members.

Jackie is survived by son Don (Carmen) and grandchildren Joe, Christine (Nick) Munoz great grandchildren Elijah, Andrew, Julia, and Ezekiel; son Bob (Peggy) and grandchildren Jake (Brittney) great grandchildren Hayes and Avery, Colton (Natalie) great grandchildren Wacey and Cash, Betsey (Matt) Neddermeyer great grandchild Cecelia, Gabe; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Jackie was preceded in death by husband Joe, parents Edna and Elliot, sister Joey (Frank) Potter, brother Jimmy, sister Judy, and great grandchildren twins, Archie and Wayne Neddermeyer.

A celebration of Jackie’s life is planned for the spring of 2026 with an announcement at a later time. Donations on Jackie’s behalf can be made to Winnett MT Community Center www.pcccwinnett.org or PO Box 63, Winnett MT 59087, or another organization of your choice.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sweet Memorial Home and Charlotte Brummer for their love, compassion and care during Jackie’s recent time there.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.