Jean D Jasman

Jean Jasman, 95, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Mountain Springs Assisted Living in Spirit Lake, Idaho. 

Jean was born at home on April 11, 1928, to Moses M. and Cynthia Hill Dahle in a two-room log cabin in Martin, Idaho, near Arco. She was the youngest of ten children. 

Prior to her birth, her father had lost his business and turned to mining in hopes of recovering his previous prosperity. It was not to be. By the time Jean was born, the family was barely able to make ends meet. Also difficult was finding affordable and livable housing in that remote area. During her childhood, Jean’s family moved many times. Once she left for school without knowing where “home” would be when the school day was over because the house they were renting had sold and nothing else was available. Every summer they uprooted again to the mining camp. 

Just shy of her 12th birthday, she lost her mother, who had been in poor health for years. This time, Jean went to live with her sister’s family, helping on their sheep farm and caring for their young children while she finished high school in nearby American Falls.  

In 1947, at the age of 19, Jean married Art Jasman, a farmer and recently returned WWII veteran from American Falls. While on their honeymoon to Glacier and Yellowstone Parks, they took a trip through Sandpoint, where a realtor showed them a cozy farm south of Sandpoint which afforded spectacular views. They loved it!  

That farm was to become Jean’s home for the next 76 years. It was there that she and Art brought up their six children, and, in later years, helped bring up their granddaughter, Lori. It was also there that Art raised beef cattle and Jean preserved enormous quantities of fruits and vegetables. There they enjoyed rich relationships with friends and neighbors, with their children and the friends of their children, and with their grandchildren.   

Jean spent much of her life sacrificially caregiving and caring for family members and friends. She was a shoulder to cry on and beloved by many. There was always room for one more plate at the table and a bed or couch to sleep on for anyone in need. 

Jean enjoyed involvement in numerous community organizations. She was especially fond of the Triangle United Club, being a member for 75 years. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Art and their two sons, James and Richard Jasman, along with her parents and nine siblings. 

She is survived by her four daughters, Cynthia Jasman of Colbert, WA, Joyce (Paul) Sheley of Sagle, Linda (Mark) Bell of Sagle, and Lora Jasman (Christopher Biermann) of Spokane. Grandchildren include Naomi Sheley, Jessica (Jeff) Miller, Stephanie (Jon) Ellingson, Isaac (Bethany) Sheley, Lori Jasman, Audra Biermann, and Heidi Biermann. Jean is also survived by five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 

There will be a graveside service, open to all, at 11:00 am on September 30 at Lakeview Cemetery. A celebration of Jean’s life will follow at 1:00 pm at Parkside Church, 423 N Lincoln Ave, Sandpoint.