Jeanne A. Gray (1928-2019)
Feisty
Born on March 21, 1928, Jeanne A. Gray (Fowler), or "Jitterbug Jeanne", as she later became known, stopped under the bridge on her way to high school in Rathdrum, ID to roll down her stockings with her older sister, Sis (Iris) and apply bright red lipstick. Several of her grandchildren learned their first swear word from her ("oh, sh?@!" when anything was dropped or fudged). As she aged, if you asked her if she needed anything, her reply would either be "whiskey" or "a shoebox full of money." The week before she passed, she was still coercing her great grandchildren to hop on her walker she nicknamed "The Cadillac," and go for walks out in the neighborhood. Jeanne was feisty yet beloved.
Strong
Born in North Dakota on March 21, 1928 to Ernest Mortimer Fowler and (Verna) Marie (Flowers), Jeanne and her six siblings were children of the depression. Her dad eventually moved the family by way of Oregon and Montana to work in Idaho for the Civilian Conservation Corps. Her siblings were Dave, Jack, Iris (Sis), Harry, Lyndall, Nikki (living-Seattle) and half-brother Lance Lowden (living - Sandpoint, ID). She was great friends with her brothers and especially close to her sisters who referred to themselves as the "Fowler Girls."
In Rathdrum, ID, she met the love of her life and her husband of over 72 years, Harold Gray, in high school. When Harry returned from the U.S. Navy, they got married in 1947 and the adventures began. Living in logging camps at first, Jeanne was tough as nails, cooking for the loggers, hauling water and beginning a family. They eventually bought five acres and built a house at Priest Lake (Coolin) that they lived in for over 62 years. They had five children, 20 years between the oldest and youngest. Her children are Dennis (Julie), of Highlands Ranch, CO, Beverlee (Russ Whalen), of Rathdrum, Ken, of Parker, CO, Tim (Heather), of Rathdrum, and Wendy (Keith Lang), of Coeur d'Alene. She has 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her family values the unconditional love she provided to all as well as her strength, strong work ethic and sass.
Smart and Loving
Jeanne was whip-smart; quick witted and intelligent. Besides raising five children, she was an avid reader and worked later in life making components for keyboards at Keytronic (Priest River). Their house in Coolin had a playroom filled with books. She loved to watch the news and wax on about ineptitude in the world and world leaders. She skunked friends and family at any game, especially Scrabble and other word games.
Jeanne prided herself on being the "meanest mom in Coolin" (ID), yet her house always overflowed with friends, neighbors, family members and friends of family members. There often was a game of scrabble, Yahtzee or various card games going on at the table and enough food in the house to feed an army including her prized huckleberry cheesecake. She and Harry kept their house and property immaculate (snow blowing, gardening and "raking the woods" well into their 80s) and always carried a bag on their daily walks to pick up trash along the road. Huckleberry picking was a lucrative hobby in the summers and people came from far and wide for their meticulously cleaned berries.
Jeanne passed unexpectedly on October 10, 2019 from a stroke she had suffered a week earlier at age 91. Though she always said she had no time for religion, she expected she'd go to heaven. Jeanne lived a full, rich life with Harry and her family. She will be forever missed.
Jeanne's family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Kurt Neely and the staff at Wellspring Meadows. They were treated so lovingly and kindly, like family.
The family would also like to thank Schneidmiller Hospice House where Jeanne remained for the week following her stroke. Once again, the staff treated her like family, with respect, dignity and love.
Jeanne was so dedicated to the lives of children. In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to "Hope for Harper". Harper Pursley is battling an extremely rare disease, ROHHAD syndrome. Harper has a donation account at P1FCU, or you can mail checks to 62 98 W. Alliance St., Rathdrum, ID 83858
Jeanne's funeral will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Yates Cemetery, 744 N 4th St, Coeur d'Alene. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery (through Forest Cemetery), 1065 North Lincoln Way, Coeur d'Alene. Then there will be a catered reception at Best Western Couer d' Alene Inn.
Feisty
Born on March 21, 1928, Jeanne A. Gray (Fowler), or "Jitterbug Jeanne", as she later became known, stopped under the bridge on her way to high school in Rathdrum, ID to roll down her stockings with her older sister, Sis (Iris) and apply bright red lipstick. Several of her grandchildren learned their first swear word from her ("oh, sh?@!" when anything was dropped or fudged). As she aged, if you asked her if she needed anything, her reply would either be "whiskey" or "a shoebox full of money." The week before she passed, she was still coercing her great grandchildren to hop on her walker she nicknamed "The Cadillac," and go for walks out in the neighborhood. Jeanne was feisty yet beloved.
Strong
Born in North Dakota on March 21, 1928 to Ernest Mortimer Fowler and (Verna) Marie (Flowers), Jeanne and her six siblings were children of the depression. Her dad eventually moved the family by way of Oregon and Montana to work in Idaho for the Civilian Conservation Corps. Her siblings were Dave, Jack, Iris (Sis), Harry, Lyndall, Nikki (living-Seattle) and half-brother Lance Lowden (living - Sandpoint, ID). She was great friends with her brothers and especially close to her sisters who referred to themselves as the "Fowler Girls."
In Rathdrum, ID, she met the love of her life and her husband of over 72 years, Harold Gray, in high school. When Harry returned from the U.S. Navy, they got married in 1947 and the adventures began. Living in logging camps at first, Jeanne was tough as nails, cooking for the loggers, hauling water and beginning a family. They eventually bought five acres and built a house at Priest Lake (Coolin) that they lived in for over 62 years. They had five children, 20 years between the oldest and youngest. Her children are Dennis (Julie), of Highlands Ranch, CO, Beverlee (Russ Whalen), of Rathdrum, Ken, of Parker, CO, Tim (Heather), of Rathdrum, and Wendy (Keith Lang), of Coeur d'Alene. She has 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her family values the unconditional love she provided to all as well as her strength, strong work ethic and sass.
Smart and Loving
Jeanne was whip-smart; quick witted and intelligent. Besides raising five children, she was an avid reader and worked later in life making components for keyboards at Keytronic (Priest River). Their house in Coolin had a playroom filled with books. She loved to watch the news and wax on about ineptitude in the world and world leaders. She skunked friends and family at any game, especially Scrabble and other word games.
Jeanne prided herself on being the "meanest mom in Coolin" (ID), yet her house always overflowed with friends, neighbors, family members and friends of family members. There often was a game of scrabble, Yahtzee or various card games going on at the table and enough food in the house to feed an army including her prized huckleberry cheesecake. She and Harry kept their house and property immaculate (snow blowing, gardening and "raking the woods" well into their 80s) and always carried a bag on their daily walks to pick up trash along the road. Huckleberry picking was a lucrative hobby in the summers and people came from far and wide for their meticulously cleaned berries.
Jeanne passed unexpectedly on October 10, 2019 from a stroke she had suffered a week earlier at age 91. Though she always said she had no time for religion, she expected she'd go to heaven. Jeanne lived a full, rich life with Harry and her family. She will be forever missed.
Jeanne's family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Kurt Neely and the staff at Wellspring Meadows. They were treated so lovingly and kindly, like family.
The family would also like to thank Schneidmiller Hospice House where Jeanne remained for the week following her stroke. Once again, the staff treated her like family, with respect, dignity and love.
Jeanne was so dedicated to the lives of children. In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to "Hope for Harper". Harper Pursley is battling an extremely rare disease, ROHHAD syndrome. Harper has a donation account at P1FCU, or you can mail checks to 62 98 W. Alliance St., Rathdrum, ID 83858
Jeanne's funeral will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Yates Cemetery, 744 N 4th St, Coeur d'Alene. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery (through Forest Cemetery), 1065 North Lincoln Way, Coeur d'Alene. Then there will be a catered reception at Best Western Couer d' Alene Inn.
Jeanne A. Gray (1928-2019)
Feisty
Born on March 21, 1928, Jeanne A. Gray (Fowler), or "Jitterbug Jeanne", as she later became known, stopped under the bridge on her way to high school in Rathdrum, ID to roll down her stockings with her older sister, Sis (Iris) and apply bright red lipstick. Several of her grandchildren learned their first swear word from her ("oh, sh?@!" when anything was dropped or fudged). As she aged, if you asked her if she needed anything, her reply would either be "whiskey" or "a shoebox full of money." The week before she passed, she was still coercing her great grandchildren to hop on her walker she nicknamed "The Cadillac," and go for walks out in the neighborhood. Jeanne was feisty yet beloved.
Strong
Born in North Dakota on March 21, 1928 to Ernest Mortimer Fowler and (Verna) Marie (Flowers), Jeanne and her six siblings were children of the depression. Her dad eventually moved the family by way of Oregon and Montana to work in Idaho for the Civilian Conservation Corps. Her siblings were Dave, Jack, Iris (Sis), Harry, Lyndall, Nikki (living-Seattle) and half-brother Lance Lowden (living - Sandpoint, ID). She was great friends with her brothers and especially close to her sisters who referred to themselves as the "Fowler Girls."
In Rathdrum, ID, she met the love of her life and her husband of over 72 years, Harold Gray, in high school. When Harry returned from the U.S. Navy, they got married in 1947 and the adventures began. Living in logging camps at first, Jeanne was tough as nails, cooking for the loggers, hauling water and beginning a family. They eventually bought five acres and built a house at Priest Lake (Coolin) that they lived in for over 62 years. They had five children, 20 years between the oldest and youngest. Her children are Dennis (Julie), of Highlands Ranch, CO, Beverlee (Russ Whalen), of Rathdrum, Ken, of Parker, CO, Tim (Heather), of Rathdrum, and Wendy (Keith Lang), of Coeur d'Alene. She has 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her family values the unconditional love she provided to all as well as her strength, strong work ethic and sass.
Smart and Loving
Jeanne was whip-smart; quick witted and intelligent. Besides raising five children, she was an avid reader and worked later in life making components for keyboards at Keytronic (Priest River). Their house in Coolin had a playroom filled with books. She loved to watch the news and wax on about ineptitude in the world and world leaders. She skunked friends and family at any game, especially Scrabble and other word games.
Jeanne prided herself on being the "meanest mom in Coolin" (ID), yet her house always overflowed with friends, neighbors, family members and friends of family members. There often was a game of scrabble, Yahtzee or various card games going on at the table and enough food in the house to feed an army including her prized huckleberry cheesecake. She and Harry kept their house and property immaculate (snow blowing, gardening and "raking the woods" well into their 80s) and always carried a bag on their daily walks to pick up trash along the road. Huckleberry picking was a lucrative hobby in the summers and people came from far and wide for their meticulously cleaned berries.
Jeanne passed unexpectedly on October 10, 2019 from a stroke she had suffered a week earlier at age 91. Though she always said she had no time for religion, she expected she'd go to heaven. Jeanne lived a full, rich life with Harry and her family. She will be forever missed.
Jeanne's family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Kurt Neely and the staff at Wellspring Meadows. They were treated so lovingly and kindly, like family.
The family would also like to thank Schneidmiller Hospice House where Jeanne remained for the week following her stroke. Once again, the staff treated her like family, with respect, dignity and love.
Jeanne was so dedicated to the lives of children. In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to "Hope for Harper". Harper Pursley is battling an extremely rare disease, ROHHAD syndrome. Harper has a donation account at P1FCU, or you can mail checks to 62 98 W. Alliance St., Rathdrum, ID 83858
Jeanne's funeral will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Yates Cemetery, 744 N 4th St, Coeur d'Alene. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery (through Forest Cemetery), 1065 North Lincoln Way, Coeur d'Alene. Then there will be a catered reception at Best Western Couer d' Alene Inn.
Feisty
Born on March 21, 1928, Jeanne A. Gray (Fowler), or "Jitterbug Jeanne", as she later became known, stopped under the bridge on her way to high school in Rathdrum, ID to roll down her stockings with her older sister, Sis (Iris) and apply bright red lipstick. Several of her grandchildren learned their first swear word from her ("oh, sh?@!" when anything was dropped or fudged). As she aged, if you asked her if she needed anything, her reply would either be "whiskey" or "a shoebox full of money." The week before she passed, she was still coercing her great grandchildren to hop on her walker she nicknamed "The Cadillac," and go for walks out in the neighborhood. Jeanne was feisty yet beloved.
Strong
Born in North Dakota on March 21, 1928 to Ernest Mortimer Fowler and (Verna) Marie (Flowers), Jeanne and her six siblings were children of the depression. Her dad eventually moved the family by way of Oregon and Montana to work in Idaho for the Civilian Conservation Corps. Her siblings were Dave, Jack, Iris (Sis), Harry, Lyndall, Nikki (living-Seattle) and half-brother Lance Lowden (living - Sandpoint, ID). She was great friends with her brothers and especially close to her sisters who referred to themselves as the "Fowler Girls."
In Rathdrum, ID, she met the love of her life and her husband of over 72 years, Harold Gray, in high school. When Harry returned from the U.S. Navy, they got married in 1947 and the adventures began. Living in logging camps at first, Jeanne was tough as nails, cooking for the loggers, hauling water and beginning a family. They eventually bought five acres and built a house at Priest Lake (Coolin) that they lived in for over 62 years. They had five children, 20 years between the oldest and youngest. Her children are Dennis (Julie), of Highlands Ranch, CO, Beverlee (Russ Whalen), of Rathdrum, Ken, of Parker, CO, Tim (Heather), of Rathdrum, and Wendy (Keith Lang), of Coeur d'Alene. She has 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her family values the unconditional love she provided to all as well as her strength, strong work ethic and sass.
Smart and Loving
Jeanne was whip-smart; quick witted and intelligent. Besides raising five children, she was an avid reader and worked later in life making components for keyboards at Keytronic (Priest River). Their house in Coolin had a playroom filled with books. She loved to watch the news and wax on about ineptitude in the world and world leaders. She skunked friends and family at any game, especially Scrabble and other word games.
Jeanne prided herself on being the "meanest mom in Coolin" (ID), yet her house always overflowed with friends, neighbors, family members and friends of family members. There often was a game of scrabble, Yahtzee or various card games going on at the table and enough food in the house to feed an army including her prized huckleberry cheesecake. She and Harry kept their house and property immaculate (snow blowing, gardening and "raking the woods" well into their 80s) and always carried a bag on their daily walks to pick up trash along the road. Huckleberry picking was a lucrative hobby in the summers and people came from far and wide for their meticulously cleaned berries.
Jeanne passed unexpectedly on October 10, 2019 from a stroke she had suffered a week earlier at age 91. Though she always said she had no time for religion, she expected she'd go to heaven. Jeanne lived a full, rich life with Harry and her family. She will be forever missed.
Jeanne's family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Kurt Neely and the staff at Wellspring Meadows. They were treated so lovingly and kindly, like family.
The family would also like to thank Schneidmiller Hospice House where Jeanne remained for the week following her stroke. Once again, the staff treated her like family, with respect, dignity and love.
Jeanne was so dedicated to the lives of children. In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to "Hope for Harper". Harper Pursley is battling an extremely rare disease, ROHHAD syndrome. Harper has a donation account at P1FCU, or you can mail checks to 62 98 W. Alliance St., Rathdrum, ID 83858
Jeanne's funeral will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Yates Cemetery, 744 N 4th St, Coeur d'Alene. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery (through Forest Cemetery), 1065 North Lincoln Way, Coeur d'Alene. Then there will be a catered reception at Best Western Couer d' Alene Inn.
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married Jan 18, 1947
Gravesite Details
s/s Harold A
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