Has Image

Jean Yarnell (Foster, Winter)

Jean Yarnell passed away May 16, 2006, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Wash., following complications after heart surgery.

She was born May 13, 1924, in International Falls, Minn., to Ira and Stella Foster.

Jeanne Elaine grew up in a loving family with an older sister, two older brothers and numerous cousins. Her family owned a dairy farm in Little Fork, Minn., and, as she often said, her childhood was a very happy one. From an early age, she demonstrated her talent for dance, fun, adventure and a true generosity of spirit.

In the early years of World War II, Jean along with her family moved to Whitefish. She then went to Santa Monica, Calif., where she worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" for Douglas Aircraft, building planes for the war project, and met and married Wilbert Winter. Her adventurous spirit was always there and she took flying lessons and rode with "Bill" on his Harley. After their three daughters were born, they moved back to Whitefish to be close to her family.

During her many years in Whitefish, she was busy as a loving mother raising her three daughters. Besides being active in the community, with her children's activities and volunteering for several organizations, she was a familiar, smiling face seen in the many jobs that she held, including Markus Grocery, Lincoln Cleaners, Sandra's Dress Shop and Hillstead's. In 1961, Jean, along with her husband Bill, Art and Evelyn LaBrie, Connie and Ted Lund, and Lil and Dale Howke, founded the Whitefish Winter Carnival Penguins. Her vivacious and fun loving personality was very evident every time she donned her penguin outfit.

Following a divorce, Jean again demonstrated her love of adventure as she headed north to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she lived for several years and worked for Nordstrom's. During this time she met her future husband, Don Yarnell, and had several more adventures, like driving a semi-trailer up to Prudhoe Bay and across the U.S. After leaving Alaska, they spent several winters living in Arizona and summers living at Cabinet Gorge RV Park, near Noxon, before eventually moving to Liberty Lake, Wash.

Jean loved the outdoors, was an avid fisherman and loved camping and all that nature had to offer. Her yard was always filled with hummingbirds, deer, quail and ducks. She had a green thumb, and everyone admired her flowers. She was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain. Her "famous" ice cream cakes were a favorite with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jean was always a beautiful woman whose generous spirit, positive approach to life and love of adventure and fun continued throughout her life. Her family and valued friends were always first in her life, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Jean was preceded in death by her mother and father Stella and Ira Foster; brother Ray Foster; husband Don Yarnell; son-in-law Michael Conn; and great grandson Maxwell Wischafski.

She leaves behind her sister Iris Byrne, of Missoula; her brother Wallace Foster, of Whitefish; daughters Marvilla Davis and husband Charles, of Fairbanks, Christle England and husband Glenn, of Silver Lake, Wash., and Deneanne Winter, of Sacramento, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, loving friends and cats Tigger and Sadie.

A celebration of Jean's life was held at her home in Liberty Lake, Wash., on May 20, 2006.