Obituary of Jean Beverly Stephan

Jean Stephan was born on August 10, 1928 in American Falls, Idaho and passed away November 13, 2023 after a long and productive life.  She was 95 years old.  She attended school in Emmett and Caldwell.  She worked in the office of Dairymen’s Creamery and enjoyed roller skating at the local rink, where she met William (Bill) Stephan.  They roller skated their way into matrimony on January 11, 1948.  They resided in Sioux City, Iowa for several years where she worked as a bookkeeper for Security Bank.  The family moved to Colorado, Washington and then in 1965 to Payette, Idaho, where Jean took care of the family while Bill was out selling tools.  When he was on his way home, she would help get his race car ready.  She even raced at the Ontario Oregon Fairgrounds where the flagman for the race, one of her classmates, saw her practicing and sent her to the back of field for the start of the race.  She still won!  They moved to Boise where they co-owned National Industrial Tool Supply and then Power Tool and Supply for several years.  Retirement brought them back to Payette.  
    Jean was initiated into Harmony Rebekah Lodge #22 on April 18, 1968 and was a devoted Rebekah, serving at the local and state levels.  Jean held many positions in the Rebekah’s.  She loved the traditions, events, activities, and regalia and treasured the many friendships she formed there.  She was always ready to help and to take on a challenge.  She was part of Boomerang L.E.A., a Charter Member of the Grand Ladies Encampment Auxiliary of Idaho and was part of the Auxiliary to Canton Weiser No. 16.  She served as page for Lady Virginia, President of the International Association L.A.P.M.  Jean served as President of the Rebekah Assembly of Idaho from 1992-1993 and was a Past President of the I.A.R.A.  Jean served on the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Visual Research Foundation Committee and worked on the team tasked with setting up the Margaret Watts Professor’s Research Fund at Wilmer’s Institute.  She received the Decoration of Chivalry in 1982.  She also received a Merit Jewel from her Rebekah Lodge.  Jean and her husband enjoyed working on the IOOF Rose Parade Floats in Pasadena, California where she attached flowers and seeds to the floats and climbed the scaffolding to get to the hard to reach places.  Jean also enjoyed working on the legion and lodge’s floats for the parades held in Payette each year.  While her children were in school, she and her husband hosted foreign exchange students three times through the IOOF International Youth Exchange.  
    Jean was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 35 years and was honored in 2021 with a membership certificate which cited her as an outstanding contributor to the accomplishment of their programs.  She served as Department President, Unit Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, and Sargent-at-Arms, and as a board member of Girls State.  She loved participating in Idaho Syringa Girls State and attending the event as a counselor for the girls, who often sent her thank you notes.  Jean was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation in 2004 she and her husband Bill were instrumental in the creation of the Payette County Veterans Memorial being placed at Wilson Park on Highway 52.  She placed a wreath on the wall as part of the dedication ceremony.  Jean and Bill were also honored to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC. She helped with the food convoy, including baking cookies, the gift table, and making tray favors from pinecones and distributing them to the VA Hospital in Boise.  She loved visiting the veterans with her husband Bill.  She and Dan Greig delivered blankets to area nursing homes at Christmas time.  For all her time and efforts, she received a certificate as a Treasured Volunteer in 2006.  She was proud to help out at the Fish Frys and the Saturday morning breakfasts.  Jean received a Certificate of Appreciation from American Legion Auxiliary Post 33 for her steadfast support of their vital initiatives in 2017.  She loved her work with the American Legion Auxiliary and took great pride in her activities and all the treasured friendships she made there.
    Jean was a breast cancer survivor for over 40 years and took great pride in walking in the cancer walks whenever she could.  
    Jean took organ lessons at Lowrey’s and found much joy in playing for her family.  
    Jean and Bill raised dachshunds and always had one around.  Their dachshunds traveled with them everywhere and were part of the family.
    Jean was an excellent cook.  For many years, she and Bill had a huge raspberry patch, peach, plum, apple and apricot trees and a big garden.  Jean canned huge amounts of fruit and pickles, which she and Bill would deliver to their children in Arizona and southern California.  Extra produce was shared with their family, friends, and the Senior Center.  
    Jean made beautiful pinecone wreaths from pinecones she collected all over Idaho.  Each one was a work of art.  
    Bill and Jean helped start the Just For Fun Motorcycle Club, Inc., which lasted for many years, with many happy memories and reunions.
    She and her husband Bill were active in the Payette United Methodist Church and the Payette Senior Center.  
    Jean welcomed everyone into her home and treated everyone like family.  She and her husband Bill had been married for over 65 years.  She is survived by her children, Chuck, Charlene, Clint and Curt and their wives, 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  She made a tremendous impact on all she knew and did.  Jean was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.