Jean Lucille Wilhelm, 90

Jean Lucille Wilhelm, 90, of Post Falls, Idaho, left her earthly home May 31, 2014, excited to join her husband in the heavenly home that was prepared for her long before she was born. Jesus welcomed her into his loving arms where her pain is gone and has been replaced with peace beyond comprehension.

Jean was born on May 13, 1924, to Edward Peters and Katherine Keenan. She spent most of her life in Post Falls, Idaho. Jean graduated from Post Falls High School where her senior picture is displayed today along with her classmates of 1942.

On June 13, 1942, Jean married Herman "Dutch" Paul Wilhelm after he convinced her to leave her current boyfriend for him. She spent the next 64 years in a beautiful, loving marriage which was interrupted by Dutch's death on June 1, 2006.

Jean and Dutch had 11 children during their life together. Jean worked tirelessly in the home while Dutch worked outside the home. Jean was a skilled financial manager and investment broker - stretching the dollar to feed and clothe their children and unselfishly taking in her nieces and nephews when the need arose.

Jean held many unpaid positions, including chef, baker, counselor, educator, chauffeur, nurse, motorcycle rider, barber, sports enthusiast (supporting her sons, Roger and Tim, at their basketball and football games) and caregiver to name just a few. She devoted her life to the well being of others. Jean's only indulgence was reading (a passion she passed on to her children), taking a psychology class at the local community college, and taking one trip to Hawaii with her sister, Betty.

We will forever remember the way Jean brought the family together during the holidays. Easter meant her famous potato salad, deviled eggs and ham, along with an egg hunt for the little ones which included up to eight dozen eggs. The Fourth of July was her favorite holiday and would mean an entire day of food, badminton, volley ball and horse shoes until dark when we would gather to watch the fireworks purchased earlier at the local stand; she loved sparklers and the loud ones the best. Everyone looked forward to Thanksgiving, and Jean would spend three days in the kitchen. Her pies and her stuffing were the favorites. Everyone was invited, and the guest list could easily grow to 50. 

But it was the Christmas celebration that best represented the person Jean was: A devote Catholic, she made sure all of her children knew the true meaning of Christmas and the salvation we all have in Jesus. The nativity scene was the first decoration up and the last to be put away. We would attend midnight mass every Christmas Eve, and return home for a big feast of ham and turkey with all the fixin's and every dessert imaginable, including cookies and candies she would make weeks ahead of time. Again, the guest list was endless. Family, and those who became a part of the family. It is still a mystery how she could pull off such a big social event in her home that would last until 2 to 3 a.m., and still get up at 5 a.m. with all her children who were too excited to sleep with the anticipation of "what did Santa bring?" Jean always managed to make sure every one of the wishes on her children's Christmas list was fulfilled.

Jean was a skilled bowler, and part of a league for several years that bowled at the old Sawmill Bowling Alley in Post Falls. She enjoyed simple things like watching TV in the evening, and playing along with Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune - Jean could have made millions if she had played as a contestant! She also loved playing cards, and pinochle poker was her favorite. At least once a week you could find Jean at the kitchen table with dad and sons Dick, Roger, Dan, and Phil bluffing her way to a win.

Jean and Dutch were blessed with 18 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. There wasn't anything Jean wouldn't do for any of her grandchildren, and she kept a busy schedule of taking care of them before school, after school, and into the summer well into her 80's. Since money was tight, but Jean's heart was so big, she decided with the first grandchild to save what she could in a little bank she lovingly selected for each grandchild. Some held pennies, some held nickels, some held dimes. None really held more than enough to buy a candy bar, but the value is in the sacrifice and love that went into the commitment of leaving something for her grandchildren which started over 40 years ago. Jean always wanted to have a celebration and give each grandchild their bank, but time ran out. At her service her wish will be fulfilled.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Peters and Katherine Keenan Reynolds; stepfather, F.O. "Oscar" Reynolds; husband, Herman "Dutch" Wilhelm; sons: Charles, Joseph, John, and Timothy Wilhelm; brothers: Francis and Lawrence Peters; sisters: Mary Margaret and Katherine "Betty" Peters Adams; and one granddaughter, Shannon Wilhelm.

Jean is survived by her brother, Edward Peters; children: James Wilhelm (Kathie), of Spokane, Wash., Richard "Dick" Wilhelm, of Post Falls, Idaho; Roger Wilhelm (Linda), of Post Falls, Idaho; Dan Wilhelm, of Post Falls, Idaho; MaryAnn Schevenius (Bruce), of Post Falls, Idaho; Elizabeth "Liz" Jenks (Mark), of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Phillip Wilhelm (Karen), of Post Falls, Idaho: 18 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.  

Inurnment will be held at 12:30 p.m., Friday, June 6, at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 17825 E. Trent Ave., Spokane, Wash., with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m., at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. Bell Tower Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements, and you may view her online memorial atwww.belltowerfuneralhome.com.