Jessica Marie Larson was born September 6, 1982 at Great Lakes, IL to Mike and Sandy (Palmer) Larson. In her early life, as a member of a “Marine Corps Family,” she lived in various areas of the U.S. and overseas before moving to Mitchell in 1998.  While attending Mitchell High School she participated in both volleyball and basketball, served as Vice President of MHS Student Council, was selected the Exchange Club “Student of the Year,” and was valedictorian of the class of 2001.  Jess attended the First United Methodist Church, actively participated in the community, earned the Girl Scout Silver Award, and was presented the Congressional Gold Award on the floor of U.S. Senate.  During her high school and college years, she was a radio announcer at KORN-Q107 Radio and was host of “J-Lar in the Mid-Day.”  After high school she attended the University of South Dakota where she was a Presidential Alumni Scholar, served on the Vermillion Literary Project, was a USD Tech Fellow, and studied abroad in Spain.  Jess graduated from USD in 2006 with degrees in Mass Communications, English, and Spanish.  After college, she was employed in Phoenix, AZ until she returned home to fight her battle with Alveolar Soft Parts Sarcoma.

Jessica is survived by her parents, Mike and Sandy Larson of Mitchell, two sisters, Carrie “CJ” Larson of Mitchell, Jacki Larson of South Bend, IN, one brother, Steven Larson of Mitchell, her significant other, Dan Finch of Mitchell, her maternal grandmother, Norma Palmer of DeSmet and paternal grandmother, Lois Larson of Iroquois. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Edward Palmer and paternal grandfather, Charles Larson.