Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law and friend, Anna Jean (Fantana) Jones Wilson, 87, of Osburn, Idaho, passed away Dec. 2, 2013, at the Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg, Idaho. She was born on June 13, 1926, in Hamilton, Nev., to Dumitru Aaron and Mary (Isaak) Fantana, immigrants, Dumitru from Romania and Mary from Germany.

Ann lost her mother when she was 7 and was raised by her father. Ann’s father was a miner and during the Depression, Ann and her father lived and traveled throughout the West, from Hamilton to Ely, Nev., Salt lake City, Wendover, Eureka, Plains and Paradise.

From time to time Ann lived with family and friends when her father was working in mining camps not suitable for a young girl. Her tales of mining camps, grit and character, desert living, the days of the Depression, new towns and many friends characterized her colorful young life on the road.

They eventually settled in Osburn and Ann graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Wallace, Idaho, and from the Sacred Heart Nursing School in Spokane. Ann started working at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Mont., met and married Vernon R. Jones in Missoula and remarried Carl Joe Wilson in 1956.

Ann served as a Registered X-Ray and Lab Technician and worked for Drs. Ravelli and Dire and later for the Kellogg Medical Clinic. She was a longtime member of the Business and Professional Women and had served as State President and Parliamentarian for many years. Ann attended every State and National BPW convention for more than 30 years. She was active in Eastern Star, DAV, Association of Registered Technicians and was a well-known activist and Democratic party leader.

Ann served on the Osburn City Council, was Vice Chair of the Idaho State Democrat Party and chaired the local Democratic Party. Ann and Joe spent many years hosting political events, supporting and entertaining candidates. She was an Idaho delegate to presidential conventions and was a friend of and respected by a vast number of politicians of both parties, local, state and federal.

Ann was kind to everyone, a legendary caregiver and possessed a big and generous heart. She loved to entertain, ski, garden, pick huckleberries, cook, keep in touch with family and friends, stay involved in politics and enjoy a libation or two with anyone who dropped by.

She had a passion for collectibles and antiques and Ann and Joe spent many vacations digging in the Nevada desert for artifacts reminiscent of her childhood. Ann and Joe spent every Spring and Summer holiday weekend at her cabin on Morrell Creek in Montana, cooking and hanging out at the fire pit with family and friends.

Ann is survived by sons, Dan (Charlene) Jones of Rollins, Mont., and Vernon “Bob” (Mary) Jones of Post Falls, Idaho; daughter Sue (John) Cook of Lewiston, Idaho; her grandchildren, Marcum and Brittney Jones, Rob and Ryan Jones, and Anna Kafka; great-grandchildren, Devin and Chylene, Nick, Garrett and Demetrie, Cameron, Grant and Lily; brother-in-law Paul (MaryLou) Wilson of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; sister-in-law Elaine Drews and family of Osburn. She is also survived by close friends too numerous to list but including pal Phyd Ellingson; neighbor Arme Bernhardt and family; Bonnie Slater and lifelong friend Beth Sims; and of course beloved cat Stubby. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Joe Wilson.

A Celebration of Ann’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Wallace, with Father Tom Loucks officiating. A reception and a gathering of family and friends will be held at the Wallace Elks following services; everyone is welcome.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Shoshone Humane Society, P.O. Box 1005, Kellogg, ID 83837.

One may sign Ann’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with funeral arrangements.