Wilma Jean "Jeannie" Peinecke

Jeannie Peinecke passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 13, 2026, at age 99 in Olympia, WA. home. Her daughter Nancy was by her side, holding her hand.

Jeannie was born July 5, 1926, to Walter and Eunice Geppelt in Bristow, Oklahoma. She was a devoted wife, mother, community volunteer, and friend whose warmth and kindness touched and inspired those around her.

Jeannie's childhood included frequent moves between Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, where her father was an engineer in the oil refinery business and her mother was a schoolteacher. Some of her fondest memories were living on her grandparents' farm in Kansas, where she rode a horse with her brother to a one-room schoolhouse. Jeannie later graduated from high school in Tulsa. She then attended the University of Tulsa and transferred to the University of Kansas, where she earned her bachelor's degree. Always a confident and courageous woman, she set off by train alone to finish her post-graduate work as a dietician at Mills College in Oakland, CA, and then took a job managing a dorm kitchen at Michigan State University. Ralph Peinecke, a returning WWII veteran, lived in that dorm. They met and married in 1950 in Tulsa, OK. Love lasted a lifetime and they celebrated their 70-year anniversary in 2020.

In 1951, they moved to the Pacific NW, where Ralph had a career in timber and wood products. They started a family and Jeannie spent her time supporting his career, the household, children's activities, and her own personal volunteer interests. That included using her skills as a dietician to organize large meals for church, host corporate events at home, and seemingly effortlessly make both everyday and holiday meals for any occasion.

Jeannie never met a challenge halfway. She lived by a motto that "it will all work out" and pursued what others sometimes thought to be impossible. That included leading a Girl Scout troop of 50 girls, including every girl who wanted to participate. She later went on to hold other roles in the Silver Sage Girl Scout Council, including President.

Jeannie was also active in other community and philanthropic groups, including PEO (member for over 50 years), Assistance League, Fundsy of Treasure Valley, Grande Ronde Hospital Auxiliary, Breast Cancer Detection Center, and her church. She was never idle and even in quiet times she would be found making beautiful quilts and crafts, crocheting, sewing or jigsaw puzzling. She carried that on through her late retirement years, including helping make quilts for Project Linus.

Jeannie traveled the world with Ralph both when he was working and retired. She researched and compiled an extensive family genealogy along the way. They also enjoyed retreating to Sun Valley, ID with family and friends where they cross-country skied, biked, hiked, fly fished, river rafted, and attended Summer Symphony concerts.

Jeannie's three children feel fortunate to have had her as their devoted mother. She instilled her service and work values in them, and they continue to carry her legacy forward. She is survived by her children, Dale Peinecke (Nancy Louise) of Olympia, WA, Nancy Lee Peinecke of Bellevue, WA, Linda Roberson (Michael) of Oregon City, OR. and grandchildren Lisa Rudduck (Dave), Nicholas Peinecke (Brandi), Amanda Roberson (Kevin Lupp), and Jonathan Roberson. Jeannie was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Peinecke (1925-2021), brother, Elmo W. Geppelt (1923-2019), and parents Eunice L. Geppelt and Walter A. Geppelt.

The family will have a private Celebration of Life later this year in Sun Valley, Idaho.

From her Children:
It is our honor to celebrate our mother's remarkable well lived life. She was very special, filling our days with love and light, fun and wisdom. Her grace, strength, and many talents will forever inspire us. We are grateful for her interest, constant support, and all she gave to us throughout our lives, along with her great smile. Her faith guided her and her sweet spirit touched everyone that knew her. She will always hold a special place in our hearts and be remembered with love.

"We Had a Wonderful Mother" by Unknown Author
We had a wonderful mother,
One who never really grew old;
Her smile was made of sunshine,
And her heart was solid gold;
Her eyes were as bright as shining stars,
And in her cheeks fair roses you see.
We had a wonderful mother,
And that's the way it will always be.

"Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
Matthew 25:23
Heaven gained an angel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to one of Jeannie's favorite charities:
PEO: BN Boise, ID Chapter, DY Vancouver, WA Chapter, or chapter of your choice
Assistance League of Boise, ID
Silver Sage Girl Scout Council in Boise, ID

In Gratitude,
Dale, Nancy Lee and Linda