Jean Chauner

Jean Martha Haynes Chauner passed away on Monday, June 2, 2008 in Petaluma, California following a brief illness and surrounded by family members. Born in Helena, Montana on April 19, 1921, Jean spent her first years in Clancy and moved to Bozeman in her fifth grade year. Jean graduated from Gallatin County High School in 1939 and Montana State College in 1943 with a degree in home economics. During college, Jean was active in Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and Spurs. After graduation she taught high school in Dillon. Jean married Edward M. Chauner (her high school and college sweetheart) on July 1, 1944. Ed was owner and manager of the Gallatin Lumber Company then located across the street from the Catholic Church in Bozeman. Jean is best remembered for her unwavering faith in God, her vivacious energy, love of life and reaching out to others. She was active in the First Methodist Church, Alpha Omicron Pi Alum Group, and many other community groups. From 1975 - 1992, Jean and Ed spent winters in Mesa, Arizona and summers in the Gallatin Canyon. Jean remained very active in Arizona. She started the first Friendship Bible Coffee in Mesa and then was the coordinator for 25 individual Bible study groups. For 27 years she assisted with a weekly worship service for residents of the East Mesa Care Center, a nursing home. She also was an English teaching assistant to English learners in Queen Creek, Arizona. In 1996, Jean married William Caldwell who resides in Spokane Valley, WA. In 2004, Jean moved to Petaluma, CA to be closer to her daughter. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Martha and John Haynes; her first husband of 48 years, Edward M. Chauner: and her brother, John Haynes, a long-time Bozeman resident. She is survived by her second husband, William Caldwell; her sister, Gwen Hartman of Helena, her brother, David Haynes, of Allyn, Washington; her daughter, Cynthia (Dana) Chauner-Niendorf of Petaluma, CA and her three sons: Ron (Jackie) Chauner, Aspen Colorado; Walt (Linda) Chauner of Whitefish, MT; and Ed D (Sue) Chauner of Salt Lake City, five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be sent to: The Clancy Church, 6 N. Main St., Clancy, MT 59634; MSU Foundation, PO Box 172750, Bozeman, MT 59717 or The Gallatin County Pioneer Museum, 317 West Main St., Bozeman, MT 597l5.