Jean Alexander

Jean Alexander, 88, of Baker City, Oregon, died Sunday, April 1, 2018 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. A Graveside Service will be held in Monroe, Washington IOOF Cemetery, 11:00  a.m. - July 28, 2018.

Jean Ellen Chaffee was born to parents Ivan and Junietta Chaffee December 29, 1929 in Monroe, Washington under a full moon.

She grew up and married Lloyd Temple in Snohomish Washington, 1947, together they had three children. Jean later married Les Johnsen.

One of Jean’s recurring career roles was in caregiving. Working at Sitka Pioneer Home from 1958-1962 shaped not only Jeans life, but her children as well. Tina recalls “We spent many hours with her on her rounds after school, we loved it!”

Jean called herself a gypsy, as she frequently traveled, moved, and wandered. She lived in Washington, Alaska and Oregon, with many moves in each state. Jean spent the last ten years of her life in Baker County, Oregon, near her youngest daughter.

Jean loved thrift shops, yard sales, dolls, teddy bears and crocheting blankets for the family.  She was extremely proud of her grand and great grandchildren, and reveled in the fact each generation was smarter.  Jean labeled herself a “Christian plus” as the Baha’i faith intrigued her as much as the Christian teachings.

Jean was pragmatic, enigmatic, uniquely, authentically and unapologetically herself. She did not have a favorite of the seasons and loved them all equally. However, the full moon had great significance for her entire life making it so remarkable that she was born on and left on a full moon.

Jean was preceded in death by first husband Lloyd Temple and second husband Les Johnsen; son Ralph Walter Temple; brothers Richard (Dickie) and Alan Chaffee.

She is survived by daughters Ann Sharee and husband Rufus Sprague of Sun City, AZ, Tina Lloydene and husband Rob Hill of Halfway, OR; sister Dolores Davis of Burlington, WA; Grandchildren Rufus and Tahirih Sprague of Algona, WA, DeOle and Kalleagh Hill of Clovis, NM, Brandi Raeburn-Hill and Chris Smith Auburn, WA; great grandchildren Sena, Steffan and BreeAnna Sprague and Maddison Feeney of Algona, WA, Ashlyn and Timbre Hill of Clovis, NM, Willow and Arwen Raeburn of Auburn, WA, and Benjamin Smith of Auburn, WA and many numerous nieces and nephews.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in Jeans honor, the family suggests St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Centers Palliative Care Unit through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com