Jean Agnitsch

JEAN ANN AGNITSCH was born to Walter “Bake” and Sophia (Weber) Marshall on September 17, 1930 at her parents’ home in Elkton, South Dakota where she was raised and attended school. In 1942, she moved with her parents to Seattle, Washington, and attended school there. Two years later, they returned to Elkton where she completed her high school graduation.

In 1948, she went on to General Beadle State College in Madison, South Dakota. On September 10, 1950, Jean was united in marriage to Donald Nissen at Trinity Lutheran church in Elkton, South Dakota. Following their marriage, they lived in the Elkton area and Jean taught at a country school near Elkton.

Two years later they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota. While raising her children, Jean worked full-time in the office of Armour Creameries until her family moved to an acreage 7 miles outside of Pipestone. She decided to quit working and stay at home with her children. Jean often commented that she made a couple trips daily from the farm to Pipestone for activities related to school or church.

In 1968, she began doing seasonal work for the O’Neill Income Tax Office. Ten years later, she purchased this business and renamed it the Agnitsch Tax Service. In 2004, she retired and sold the business after spending 36 years with the income tax business.

The Lord blessed Jean with joy and companionship in the person of Anton ‘Fritz’ Agnitsch whom she married on November 3, 1985. Following their marriage, they lived in the country and enjoyed numerous road trips across the country. Fritz entered into glory on October 13, 1988. After his death, she moved to a home in Pipestone.

Jean always loved to travel. She stayed in Scotland for a month when her brother Ken was married to Sheila, a Scottish native. Other trips included Germany, a cruise to Alaska, many activities with the First National Bank Travel Club and a trip through the Panama Canal.
Her adventurous spirit was evident to her children and grandchildren as she encouraged them to accompany her to events involving travel, theatre, music and even a vegan restaurant in Estes Park Colorado.

Following a decline in health in 2013, Jean moved up to St. Cloud, Minnesota to be nearer her daughter. She became a resident of St. Benedicts Senior Community. The Lord called Jean to His home on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the age of 87 years, four months, and 24 days.

Jean was received into God’s covenant of grace through holy baptism on October 12, 1930 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elkton, South Dakota. She renewed this covenant with her God on the day of her confirmation on June 25, 1944 in a mission church in Duwamish Bent, Seattle, Washington. When she moved to Pipestone, she became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she was active in many activities, including teaching Sunday School, teaching Vacation Bible School, and serving as a church trustee. She enjoyed many activities, but her greatest pleasure was working in the House of the Lord.

She is lovingly remembered by her four children, Steven (Barbara) Nissen of Aurora, Colorado, Diane Deters of Clear Lake, Minnesota, David (Traci) Nissen of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Dale Nissen of Edgerton, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and brothers Kenneth (Sheila) Marshall of Sonoma, California, and Curtis Marshall of Oregon. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and niece Pamela Marshall.