Jean Irene Anderson
August 7, 1933 – September 18, 2022

Arimo, Idaho. Jean Irene Miracle Anderson, 89, passed away on Sunday September 18, 2022 following a short illness. Jean was born August 7, 1933 in Wabunsee Co. Kansas. She was the fourth child born to Irene Goldie Krieger and Ben Sylvester Miracle. Before her first birthday her family moved to Kenniwick, Washington and eventually settled in Puyallup. She attended school at Firgrove Elementary School and then Puyallup Jr. and High schools where she participated in Art, Drama, Tri Hi Y clubs and was on the honor roll her jr. and senior years. Jean graduated high school in June of 1952 after which she started working for Pacific Tel & Tel as a phone operator and lived at the YWCA. While working as a telephone operator she was set up on a blind date with Keith Anderson, a serviceman from Idaho who was stationed at McCord Air Force Base. Shortly after meeting they were married on July 10, 1953. Soon their first child Craig was born. After Keith was discharged from military duty, the three of them moved to Inkom, Idaho. Within the next nine years Jean gave birth to one more son and five daughters. In 1965 with seven children at home and her husband working at the Railroad and farming, Jean started college at Idaho State University. The family then moved to McCammon for several years, and then in 1970 they built a home in Arimo. Jean graduated from ISU in 1971. While attending college she worked in the costume department sewing costumes for shows. She was named outstanding actress of the year at ISU for her role of Dorothy Hardcastle in the play “She Stoops to Conquer.”

In 1974 Jean started teaching. She taught in McCammon, Marsh Valley Jr. High but for most of her career she taught English, Speech, Drama and Humanities at Marsh Valley High School. She produced and directed 18 major musicals and numerous smaller shows. Jean served as President of Marsh Valley Education Association , first Vice President of Idaho State Speech Teachers Association,and President of Idaho Speech Arts Teachers Association. In 1989 Jean was named Idaho State Speech Teacher of the Year. In 1995 Jean retired, or as she says, she finally graduated. Within a year after retiring, Jean and Keith became temple workers for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Logan Utah. They faithfully served in this calling for six years. November 2000 brought another change for Jean when she was appointed Mayor of the City of Arimo. She was elected in November of 2001 and served until 2005. One of her significant projects while mayor was obtaining funding for a new water system for the city. For many years she taught 4-H, judged art and 4-H at the county and state fairs. She and her husband served as superintendents for the South Bannock County Fair from 1982 to 1987. During her lifetime she served in many capacities for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jean is survived by her children: Craig Keith (Wendy) Anderson of Pocatello, Idaho; Jeanine (Larry) Johnson of Paradise, Utah; Christine (Kim) Hammond of Salmon, Idaho; son-in-law Burke Richman of Kimberly, Idaho; Dona Joy (Robert) Lee of Layton, Utah; Kathleen Lolofie of Arimo, Idaho; sister Janet Elsdon and sister-in-law Wanda Miracle of Tacoma, Washington; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two sisters and two brothers; son-in-law, Whan Lolofie; grandson, Drew Jenks; a young son, Evan Lee; daughter, Ann Marie Richman; her husband of 52 years, Keith Golden Anderson.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 at 12:00 P.M. at the Arimo Idaho LDS Stake Center, 286 Henderson Road, Arimo Idaho 83214. Friends may call at the LDS chapel on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 6:00-7:00 P.M. and on Friday from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Burial will follow in the Norton Cemetery in McCammon, Idaho.

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