The Council of State Governments extends its deepest condolences to Sen. Mike Rounds on the loss of his wife, Jean.
Jean Rounds not only served as first lady of South Dakota when her husband was governor, but also as the first lady of The Council of State Governments during the year her husband served as CSG national president.
“We were saddened to learn of her passing earlier this week,” said CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins. “Jean served her state well — first during her tenure as a state employee, then as a civic and philanthropic leader and as a great ambassador for South Dakota. She embodied the best values of the American Midwest.
“CSG extends our condolences to Sen. Rounds and to all who knew and loved Jean.”
Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who followed Sen. Rounds as CSG national president, tweeted earlier this week, “Gayle and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jean Rounds. When Mike and I served as Governors together, the 4 of us became great friends. Jean was such a delight to be around and we will miss her friendship.”
Jean Rounds, 65, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 2, following her battle with sarcoma cancer. A native of Lake Preston, South Dakota, she married Mike Rounds in 1978, and the couple have four children. She worked in the South Dakota State Planning Bureau and the Department of Transportation.
Her husband released a statement following her death, which included, “South Dakota knew her as First Lady. We knew her as wife, daughter, mom and grandma. She was everything to us.”
