Jeanne Sahlberg

Faced with the dilemma of having to choose between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Jeanne Sahlberg decided instead to pass from this life on June 30, 2016. She spent her last few weeks in Meridian, Idaho which was originally named Hunter after her grandfather.

The elder of two daughters born in Pocatello, Idaho to Ray S. Hunter and Mildred S. Hunter, on August 2, 1922, Jeanne spent virtually her entire life in Pocatello. She graduated from Pocatello High School (which her mother had also attended) in 1939 and attended University of Idaho southern branch in Pocatello for two years. She then proudly took the university train from Pocatello to the University of Idaho where she joined the Delta Gamma sorority for her final two years. She graduated from UI in 1943. With the world at war, following graduation she enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve (Women's Reserve) better known now as the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She attended Smith College in Northampton, Mass., for officer training where she received a Master's degree in Military History before being stationed in Washington, D.C. with two other WAVES who became lifelong friends. Together the "three little girls from school are we" spent the entire wartime in the nation's capital. Jeanne proudly served in the troop entertainment section, reminding the troops abroad what they were fighting for at home.

At the end of her service in 1945, she returned to Pocatello and became reacquainted with Tom Sahlberg who was a long-time family friend. In fact, Tom and Jeanne's fathers had enlisted together in World War I in the hope that they might serve together. Jeanne married Tom Sahlberg on June 8, 1947 in the Congregational Church in Pocatello and they recently celebrated their 69th anniversary. The newly married couple moved to Boise, Idaho where Tom was working as a special assistant to Doc Robins, Idaho's 22nd governor.

Returning to Pocatello, Jeanne and Tom started a family and Jeanne worked as a substitute teacher in the Pocatello schools and as a fill-in legal secretary for a number of prominent Pocatello lawyers. Once her children were older, Jeanne started teaching full time at Idaho State University's school of vocational-technical education where she taught everything from shorthand to computers. After more than 20 years of teaching, Jeanne retired from ISU in 1988 but remained involved in university activities, including season tickets for women's basketball, never missing an ISU reception, and taking New Knowledge Adventure courses through her early 90's. Jeanne won many awards during her career, including a teacher of the year award at Idaho State University, but she was proudest of earning her Life Master ranking from the American Contract Bridge League. Even as her vision faded with age, Jeanne remained an avid bridge and hand-and-foot player and taught the games to anyone who was willing to learn. Jeanne was also active in PEO, the Ruth Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Juniper Hills Country Club. She proudly enjoyed her social outings, her many dear friends throughout her life, and her family.

Surviving Jeanne are her husband of 69 years, Tom Sahlberg; daughter Ann and Richard Standish of Henrietta, N.Y., and their children John, Jeff and Greg; Jane Poole of Mill Creek, Wash.; John and Susan Sahlberg of Boise, Idaho and their children Katrina and Jacqueline; and Bert Sahlberg and Lynn King of Lewiston, Idaho and their daughter Aimee; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Jo Young, and son-in-law Fred Poole.

The family has set up a Jeanne Sahlberg memorial scholarship fund at Idaho State University College of Technology. Donations to the fund can be made with checks payable to: ISU Foundation and forward to the following address: 921 S. 8th Ave, Stop 8050, Pocatello, ID 83209-8050. Condolences to Tom can be sent to sahljean@cableone.net

The family will hold a private graveside service with full military honors in Pocatello at a later date.