Lynnette Irene Birdsell JeanBlanc, 68, passed peacefully into the loving hands of the Lord on May 25, 2014, at the Hospice House of North Idaho at Hummingbird Fields.

Lynnette was born on October 5, 1945, in Colfax, Wash., to Alice Rhoads Birdsell and Lloyd Birdsell. She was their third child. Lynnette grew up in and around the areas of St. John, Endicott, and Winona. She attended school in St. John, Wash., until her junior year of high school when she transferred to Palouse High School and lived with the Ruth and Troy Miller family. Lynnette was a cheerleader, played basketball, volleyball, and badminton. She enjoyed her time and friends in Palouse, but had a special place in her heart for her best friend, Cathy Shaw Bush; they got away with some major antics.

After graduating, Lynnette attended Esther’s Beauty School in Spokane, Wash., and worked at the Crescent and The Bon Marche department stores. Lynnette enjoyed working as a beautician and would return to this occupation from time to time during her life. She also waitressed, cooked, bartended, and did office work throughout her life.

In 1965, Lynnette married Roger Benefiel and they made their home in Kalispell, Mont., where they had their first child. After moving back to Spokane they had their second child; Lynnette and Roger were later divorced.

While still living in Spokane, Wash., Lynnette met and married Maurice Post. They made their home in Sprague, Wash. During their marriage, Lynnette and Maurice took in four of her nieces and nephews, and they raised six children together for four years. Lynnette called Bradley Birdsell, Dela Birdsell, Robert Birdsell, and Kely Birdsell her special blessings that she always had in her heart and prayers after they left her care. Later, Lynnette gave birth to a little girl. In 1980 they moved to Kennewick, Wash., until their divorce.

Lynnette moved to St. Maries, Idaho, where she met and married Ronald JeanBlanc. They made their home there, and she gave birth to a boy. They later moved to Harrison, Idaho, where Lynnette worked at the Gateway, Rose Café, and managed One Shot Charlie’s. The family later moved to Sidney, Mont., and then back to Harrison, Idaho. They divorced in 2011, and Lynnette moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

At this time, Lynnette retired and spent as much time as she could with her grandchildren, as they were very special to her. One of her biggest joys in life was her children and grandchildren. Lynnette so loved their birthday parties and holidays; she always made sure she picked out the perfect gift for each one of her eleven grandchildren.

She was waiting for the most special delivery of her first great grandchild which never came to fruition.

Throughout her life, Lynnette enjoyed gardening, cooking, crafting, crocheting, and stamping.

Lynnette was preceded in death by her her mother, Alice Laureen Rhoads Norton; father, Lloyd Birdsell; brother, Larry Birdsell; sister, Lois Birdsell Chavez; great grandparents, grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Lynnette leaves behind her children: daughter, Brenda Benefiel Watkins, and ex-son-in-law, Randy Watkins; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Benefiel Darden and John Darden; daughter, Kimberly Post Donahue, and fiancé, Michael Bryan; son, Corey JeanBlanc, and ex daughter-in-law, Jennifer; grandchildren: Samantha Kraack Church, Irene Watkins, Paige Watkins, Rebecca Deitz, Molli Darden, Meghan Darden, Mark Darden, Brittany Bryan, Mikayla Donahue, Isabelle Donahue, Nathaniel JeanBlanc, and Aaliyah JeanBlanc; brothers: Lewis "Butch" Birdsell, John Repp, and Tom Repp; sister, Karen Repp Brown; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department and Paramedics, the doctors and staff at Kootenai Health Emergency Room, the doctors and staff in the ICU unit at Kootenai Health (especially nurses Hannah, John, and Liz), and Hospice House at Hummingbird Fields. These dedicated individuals graciously helped our family through this process, and provided comfort to Lynnette during her last days.

Services will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 24, at the St. John Cemetery in St. John, Wash., where she will be placed with her father. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of North Idaho in Lynnette's memory. Please send donations to: Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, Idaho, 83815. Please visit Lynnette's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.