Jeanne Lenora Biner (nee Wooton)

The world, especially Coeur d’Alene, has lost a wonderful, artistic and energetic woman. Jeanne was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on July 19, 1921, and entered into heaven on Nov. 21, 2020, in Concord, Calif., with her family by her side.

After Jeanne graduated from Walla Walla High School she attended college in Oregon and then moved to California to work in the shipyards, assisting in the war effort of World War II. There she met and married the love of her life, Rom Biner, in December of 1947.

After the war, they owned and operated a dairy farm in Thornton, Calif., and also organized farmers in the annual county fair exhibits, winning first prize for several years.

They later moved to Orinda, Calif., and Jeanne worked as a graphic artist and was the art director for a San Francisco company. Jeanne enjoyed painting in acrylics, and they traveled quite a bit—especially Europe. When Rom passed in 1980, Jeanne ran away from home (her words) and moved to Coeur d’Alene and opened the first B&B in the area, named Cricket on the Hearth, where she hosted a plethora of actors, resulting in many sing-a-longs around her grand piano.

She was a board member, and then president in 2001, of the Cancer and Community Charities (3C’s) and worked many positions within that organization, including Gourmet and Golf. Yes, she was still golfing in her early 90s!

Jeanne was a gourmet cook and always set a most beautiful and interesting table. The American Cancer Society also awarded her “Best Decorated Table Setting” one year. Her carousel horse — a full size one — was the centerpiece. She was in charge of decorating several trees for the 3C’s in the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser for the Kootenai County Hospital and won top honors with her Alice in Wonderland-themed tree. She was always “dressed to the nines'' and modeled for many years in the 3C’s fashion shows. Jeanne loved the lake and was the Maverick Yacht Club’s well-loved mascot for many years.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Claudina Wooton; her brother, Gary; and two sisters, Vivian and Helen. She is survived by her children, Stephanie (Larry) Ratto, Marc (Debbie) Biner, Wendy Crosetti and her partner, Georgio Zembera; four granddaughters and numerous great-grandchildren.

Should you wish to donate to the 3C’s, your donation will go toward helping several local charities in North Idaho. P.O. Box 1274, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816.

We will celebrate her 100th birthday on Lake Coeur d’Alene!