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Jane Baughman Anderson, 94

Jan. 5, 1923 – April 9, 2017

Jane Baughman Anderson, fondly known as “Mama Jane,” passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 9, 2017, at The Bridge at Garden Plaza in Post Falls, Idaho.

Jane was born in Los Angeles, Calif., the only child of Leo and Mable Johnston Baughman. Jane had an adventurous spirit and loved the outdoors whether she was hiking in the woods at the family cabin in Lake Arrowhead, working her “Victory Garden,” or checking out tide pools and body surfing at the beaches in Southern California.

Jane received her elementary teaching degree from UCLA in 1946. While in college, she joined the Kappa Delta Sorority where she made lifelong friends. After graduation she indulged her sense of travel and adventure by taking a six-week, 14,000-mile road trip with three of her sorority sisters around the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Jane married William “Bill” Anderson on June 28, 1952. They had two children, Frank and Victoria. The family moved to Lake Arrowhead, Calif., in 1960, remodeling and living in the family cabin that Jane had spent her summers in as a child. Jane taught kindergarten and second grade at Lake Arrowhead Elementary School for 33 years, retiring in 1983.

Jane and Bill raised their children to love travel, enjoy the outdoors and give back to the community. She and her husband were lifelong supporters of their local Elks Club, Shriners Children’s Hospital, and the Girl Scout and Boy Scout programs. “Mama Jane” was an honorary member of the Red Hot Mamas and the Blazen Divas of Coeur d’Alene, as well as an active member of the Kootenai County Republican Women. At an upcoming convention in Phoenix, Jane was looking forward to receiving her 75-year membership pin from Kappa Delta Sorority.

Jane and Bill moved to Spokane, Wash., in 1994 and relocated to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 2000 to be close to family. Bill passed away in 2005.

Jane is survived by her two children and their families, Frank and his wife, Kay, live on Maui, Hawaii, and Victoria and her husband, Ken Roberge, live in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Jane has three grandchildren, Katie, Hailey and Chad; and two great-grandchildren, Adeline and Dean.

Jane lived large, had a loving and generous spirit, and was a fabulous example to all of us! Nicknamed “Energizer Jane” by her son-in-law, she always had her bags packed and was ready for the next party or adventure! She made many trips dragging her three-wheeled walker through the cobblestoned streets of Prague, up gang planks on cruises in Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico and Alaska. Hawaii always held a special place in Jane and her family’s hearts.

Everyone has a story to tell about Jane and her spunkiness! Sporting her wild outfits and stylish hats, Mama Jane always made an entrance. For years you could catch her in one of her bright Hawaiian Mumus, wearing a hat or haku lei, and dancing the hula. She loved a dry martini, classic old movies and a good piano bar. Love and aloha, Jane.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Garden Plaza in Post Falls.

Please make any memorial contributions to Hospice of North Idaho or Kappa Delta Sorority at [email protected].