Billie Jo Marie Jester

Billie Jo Marie Jester was born on January 27th, 1978 in Beloit, WI. She attended Ithaca High School and graduated in 1996, and then went on to graduate from college at UW Eau Claire. She later completed her Masters of Social Work degree through Aurora University. She spent several years working in the child welfare system in Milwaukee, where she passionately fought for the rights of children and permanence for families. She also worked in the hospice field before becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, through which she provided in-home therapy services to families in need.

Bille Jo married James Dagons in 2011, at which time she became a step-parent to children Amina and JJ. Billie Jo and James later welcomed a son, Myles, together. They then moved to Onalaska, WI, to raise their family. Although the marriage ended a decade later, Billie Jo continued to love all three children as her own. She firmly believed that family is forever.

In 2024, Billie Jo moved to Rochester, MN, and began working as the lead Social Worker of the Organ Transplant Department at Mayo Clinic. This role meant a great deal to her.

On May 4th, 2025, Billie Jo Jester passed away unexpectedly from heart-related issues. She was 47 years young. With her passing comes a flood of grief for those whom she leaves behind. However, those who knew her well know that she would want to be celebrated and remembered for who she unapologetically was.

To know Billie Jo was to understand how unique of a person she was. She was deeply passionate about keeping kids safe, and was known to make efforts to help any adult or child in her life who needed it, regardless of the difficulty of the situation. Complicated people and situations did not scare her. She had a sassy sense of humor and wasn't afraid to express herself. She knew what she wanted and she was not afraid to go after it. She was confident and lived her life with passion. She loved things that were flashy. She loved being in warm places by the ocean. She wanted the very best for all of the children in her life. She said the things that some of us might have been thinking but would have never said out loud, causing groans or laughs, depending on the audience. She felt like some (or maybe most) rules were meant to be broken. Quite simply, she was who she was, and she saw little point in pretending otherwise.

In the wake of Billie Jo's far too early departure from this earth, the amount of people who survive her is incredibly large. Her son Myles, step-daughter Amina, and step-son JJ. Her mother and the step-father who raised her (Brenda and Dean Jensen), her biological father (Bill Jester), her five brothers (Joe Fountaine, and Nick, Jake, Tyler and Chase Jester), and step-siblings Josh Jensen, Katie Jensen and Melissa Friske, as well as their partners. Billie Jo had numerous nieces and nephews to which she was an aunt, and a few to whom she had also been a caregiver. She had great nieces and nephews who, although they will miss the opportunity to have her physically present, will grow up hearing the family stories of their spunky great aunt. Billie Jo is also survived by Steve and Sharon Fountaine, who were a continuous presence throughout her life. She is survived by cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. Billie Jo was preceded in death by her grandparents, an aunt and an uncle.

As was her wish, Billie Jo was cremated. Her ashes will be spread somewhere sparkly because, well, we suspect that is what she'd want! We encourage you to celebrate her life in a way that is meaningful to you, or that you think would be meaningful to her. She truly would have wanted all of you to live your best lives; take the trip, release the balloons, tell your babies you love them, watch Steel Magnolias, get pampered. Her spirit will continue to inspire us.

There will be a celebration of life on June 10, 2025, from 1:00 to 3:00 at Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern, 328 Front St S, La Crosse, WI 54601.