A private family graveside service and interment for Jacqueline “Jackie” Deal, 88, of Tracy, will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at the Tracy Community Cemetery.
Jacqueline “Jackie” Mae Deal was born on February 25, 1932, at Tracy Hospital, the daughter of Ervin and Lucille Reinert. She was baptized at Tracy Methodist Church where she was a lifelong member. Jackie attended country school District 16 in Shetek Township for 7 years, then went to school in Tracy starting in 8th grade and graduating in 1950. Following high school, she worked two years for Doctors Valentine and Remsburg. She then enrolled at Mankato State University, graduating with honors in 1956 with a degree in Home Economics & Science. Jackie married Harold D. Deal on June 30, 1956, at Tracy Methodist Church. They lived on Harold’s home farm outside of Walnut Grove for 40 years before moving into their new home in Tracy in December 1996. They were named Redwood County Farm Family of the Year in 1994. Jackie started teaching home economics at Walnut Grove High School in 1956, where she taught for three years. After David and Susan were born, she taught Home Economics in Balaton for one year. She then returned to Walnut Grove school as a Title One teacher for many years, then later as a classroom aide. She retired in 1997, having been at Walnut Grove School for 33 years. Jackie was active at Tracy Methodist Church as a Sunday School Teacher, Financial Secretary, Ladies Circle, and chair of the Flower Show for many years. Jackie was a leader of the Springdale Climbers 4-H Club for several years. She belonged to the Redwood County Home Ec Club for over 40 years. Jackie always had vegetable and flower gardens on the farm, and she canned and froze vegetables. She loved to sew and do craft projects. She sewed many of her own clothes, as well as those for Susan. She made hand stitched quilts and wall hangings and gave quilts as gifts to family members.
Jackie lived at Prairie View Senior Living for the past five years. Jackie died on Sunday, September 6, 2020, at the Sanford Tracy Medical Center at the age of 88. She is survived by her husband Harold, daughter Susan, sister Joyce (and Walt), sister-in-law Lois, and brother-in-law Tom. She was preceded in death by her son David, parents Ervin and Lucille, sister Kaye, brother Chuck, and sisters- and brothers-in-law Wilma (and Norman) and Joanne (and Mal).
