Facts
Born: July 31, 1910
Death: February 26, 2010
In Memoriam of Deane Meese
Memorial donations can be made to:
Deane Meese
July 31, 1910 - February 26, 2010
Deane F. Meese died at the age of 99 February 26, 2010, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Deane was born in Pilot Rock, OR, July 31st, 1910 to Fred and Effie Bailey, the third of nine children. She grew up in Drummond, ID, where her parents farmed, and graduated from Ashton High School. After she completed her education at Albion Normal College, she was hired as the sole teacher at the one-room school house in Drummond where she taught grades one through eight. While teaching, she met Ben Meese who worked as a railroad telegrapher in Ashton; they were married in Drummond on July 20th, 1931. The couple lived for a time in Malad, ID, and then returned to Ashton where they lived until 1959 when Ben was hired to manage the Railroad Ranch in Island Park (now the Harriman State Park). The ranch was owned by E.R. Harriman of the Union Pacific and Charles S. Jones of Richfield Oil.
Deane and Ben maintained a busy lifestyle managing the ranch. While Ben took care of the cattle operation, Deane attended to the social aspect of ranch life for the Harriman and Jones families and visitors. The couple lived in what is now the Manager’s House during the spring, summer, and fall months when the cattle were pastured on the ranch, and in Idaho Falls during the winter. After Ben retired in 1977, they continued to live in Idaho Falls. They built a vacation cabin in the Palisades area and spent many happy days there. Ben died in 1981.
Deane held the position of Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Ashton chapter. She belonged to Round Table and was a member of Ashton Community Methodist Church and Shiloh Foursquare Church in Idaho Falls. She spent many hours playing bridge and entertaining friends and family. She was an avid reader who liked to inquire about her family’s opinions on major issues and current events, and, was particularly interested in what they were currently reading.
She is preceded in death by her husband Ben, her daughter Shirley Ann Pettit, two grandsons, and eight sisters and brothers. Her sister Hazel Houk died a year ago, leaving Deane as the last surviving member of her immediate family. Deane is survived by daughter Chris and son- in-law Bob Williams of Whidbey Island, Washington, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Nancy Anderson for her devoted care of Deane, good friend Stan Cheslock, Mark Osadchey who provided friendship as well as physical therapy, and the staffs of Fairwinds Assisted Living and Hands of Hope Hospice who cared for Deane with love and respect in her final days with us.
Memorial contributions may be made in Deane’s name to the Shiloh Foursquare Church at 502 Second St., Idaho Falls, ID 834001. A memorial service will be held later in the year to allow all family members and friends to attend. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home in Idaho Falls.
Will be held later this summer
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