Obits for January 7

Jean Isabelle Shaner, born April 27, 1927 at Cattaraugus, NY quietly passed away at the Missoula Community Medical Center on Monday, December 28, 2009 with her friend and partner of 48 years at her side. Over a period of 4 weeks she suffered through a series of increasingly more debilitating strokes. Although particially paralyzed, she was fully cognizant of her status and retained her composure, dignity and humor until the end of her life. An extraordinary person.

Jean’s father, a veteran of WWI died of a young age and she was raised by her grandmother until graduating from high school in Bolivar, NY. Following high school she married Don Wood and together they had 3 children. They were later divorced and Jean was united in marriage to Doug Shaner in September 1965.

Leaving her home state of New York for the first time, the new couple with 3 young children moved to their new home in Plains, MT where Doug worked for the Forest Service. The trip West was made in an American Motors station wagon and a 1930 Model A, pickup which carried all their possessions. The new husband had traded his maroon 1962 Corvette with a fuel injected 327 engine, for the station wagon and some cash. It cost $48.00 for fuel for each vehicle to make the 2300 mile trip west.

During Doug’s career with the Forrest Service, the couple stationed at Plains, Superior, Missoula and back to Plains. Of these, their 3 years living at Quartz Guard Station located between Tarkio and Lozo, are the most fondly remembered. The house was small, condemned and the wood floors were pock-marked from caulked boots. There was no TV reception. It was a bear-in-the-garbage can kind of place. They both just loved it. Rent was $26 per month.

Jean always felt the need to help support the family and found work at the Missoula White Pine Sash mill, the Superior Post Office and the Clark Fork Valley Hospital. Jean worked at the CFVH for 25 years as a CAN. She was a worker. Her work ethic, compassion and enthusiasm earned her the title of “Mother Superior.”

She was an active fund raiser for the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society when she became unable to walk in the Cancer Walk-a-thon, she recruited other to walk for her.

Jean was a very outgoing and social person who did not allow friendships new and old to fade away as she aged. Most of all, she will be remembered for her energy and hustle.

Jean was preceded in death by her father, William Anderson and mother Ruth Wing White. She is survived by her husband Doug, children, Don Wood and wife Dortheia of Lakeside, MT, Russell Shaner and wife Mary of Ferndale, MT and Melody Hockett of Ogden UT. She also leaves behind 4 grandchildren.

Memorials to the American Cancer Society are requested in lieu of flowers.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held in Plains at the Church of God at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 9th, under the direction of Sunset Hills Funeral Homes in Plains