Barbara Jean Poulson Jank, 91

Barbara Jean Poulson Jank, 91, of Hayden Lake, Idaho, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, surrounded by all of her children.

The daughter of the late Harold C. Poulson and Nina (Holbrook) Poulson, Barb was born Dec. 6, 1922, in Breckenridge, Mich. Family was her life's priority. She will be remembered for her kind, creative, and gentle spirit.

Barb married Paul F. Jank, her husband of 71 years, on April 17, 1943, in Fort Monroe, Va. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, on Jan. 23, 2014.

Barb graduated as Salutatorian from Saginaw High School in 1940. She served on the Homecoming Court and graduated from Bay City Junior College with high honors in 1942. Barb then worked as a legal secretary, and an executive secretary at Saginaw Transmission and General Motors Central Foundry for many years.

Barb held memberships at Maple Hills Golf Club, The Elks Club, as well as with Daughters of the American Revolution and Hospice of Northern Idaho.

Barbara was a resident of Breckenridge, Clare, Saginaw, and Linwood Beach, Mich. In 1983 Barb and her husband, Paul, retired to Costa Mesa, Calif. Then, in 1992, they moved to Hayden Lake where she resided for the past 22 years.

Barb was passionate about art in all forms. Her many lifetime creative talents included: Quilting, portrait painting, stained glass, purse fabrications, needlepoint, gardening, raising orchids, seamstress extraordinaire, jewelry design (the Coveted Necklace), ceramics and porcelain doll construction.

Barb was an unwavering friend and compassionate listener to all she met.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her daughter, Mary Samson Jank; and her sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Lyttle.

She is survived by her three sons, two daughters, and their spouses: Paul Jr. (Solly) Jank of Beaufort, S.C., Mike Jank of Hayden, Tim (Pam) Jank of Hayden Lake, Barbara (Dr. Mark Young) of Saginaw, Mich., and Mary Sue Delrez (Wayne Sitz) of Costa Mesa, Calif.; nine grandchildren: Clint Jank of Beaufort, S.C., Kirsteen James of Wentzville, Mo., Lisa Brethauer Efrati of San Francisco, Calif., Natalie Young of Brooklyn, N.Y., Amy Bowman of Long Beach, Calif., Alan Delrez of Warren, Mich., Brandon Jank of Hayden Lake, Travis Jank of Coeur d'Alene, and Allison Jank of Hayden Lake; four great-grandchildren: Madelyn James, Katelyn James, and Makenzie James of Wentzville, Mo., Matthew Bowman of Long Beach, Calif., and numerous nieces and nephews. Surviving special friends are: Frank Jank of Newport Beach, Calif., Dr. Dan Coulston of Spokane, Wash., Jan Kaiser of Hayden, as well as Helen, Thelma, and Rosalie of Emeritus, Coeur d'Alene, and her faithful dog, Annie.

Barbara's Celebration of Life will be held for friends and family from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the Blue Plate Cafe, 10015 Government Way, Hayden (208-772-8399).

Arrangements are entrusted to Yates Funeral Home. Expressions of Sympathy for the family may be sent c/o Tim Jank, 1756 E. Avon Ave., Hayden, Idaho, 83835. Or you may wish to consider memorials to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, Idaho, 83835 (208-772-7994).

Barb has enriched the lives of many and left her loving mark on all of us.