Jeannette Parmelee Powell

Nov. 26, 1919 – Feb. 26, 2014

Longtime Springfield resident

Jeannette Elizabeth Parmelee Powell was born Nov. 26, 1919, in Pocatello, ID, to Bruce Eugene Parmelee and Winstead Davie Parmelee. Jeannette was 94 years old when she passed away in her sleep Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at The Willows, 898 Meridian in Blackfoot.

Jeannette lived most of her life in the Springfield community, with time out for school and travels. Her parents were early day farmers, and until recently, Jeannette still lived in the house she grew up in with her only sibling, Jane Ritter of Maine (deceased).

She attended school at Springfield, graduating from high school in Idaho Falls. After two years at the University of Idaho, Southern Branch (now ISU), Jeannette trekked through a cow corral in her good clothes to interview for a teaching position with a Lower Presto School Board Member as he milked. She got the job.

Jeannette taught school in Lower Presto until she met Jack Powell. They were married in 1940 and lived in California until Jack entered the Navy during World War II. After the war, they took up farming on the home place in Springfield.

Jack and Jeannette had five children: Milton Bruce Powell of Baraboo, WI, Mark Parmelee Powell (Elaine) of Blackfoot, Kathryn Anne Watson (Randy) of Pocatello, Jack David Powell (deceased) and Ralph Loren Powell (Amy) of Blackfoot. Her husband Jack Lever Powell preceded her in death.

After the children were in school, Jeannette went back to teaching and taught in Springfield, Aberdeen, in a Special Education classroom in Blackfoot and a year in Rockford. She also commuted to ISU and attained a Masters’ Degree in Special Education.

Between family and teaching, children were long an important part of her life. But Jeannette was not only a mother and teacher, she was also an artist. Jeannette was a weaver, a photographer, a potter, a painter. She expanded her family’s lives with art and books, encouraged them in their educations, and shared with them her dry sense of humor.

Jeannette is survived by four of her children, Mike, Mark, Kathryn and Ralph; ten grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church; St. John’s in Pingree, ID.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 South Shilling Avenue in Blackfoot. Family will meet with friends and relatives from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, at Hawker Funeral Home and for one hour prior to services. Condolences may be sent to the family at condolences@hawkerfuneralhome.com.