Jean Thiemens, 100

Jean Louella Duncan Thiemens of Coeur d’Alene, 100 years and 26 days old, went to meet her Lord Sept. 4, 2021, at home with family due to natural causes. She was born to Frank and Jesse McKay on Aug. 9, 1921, in Spokane, Wash.

She met William E Duncan in 1938 and they were married on Sept. 29, 1939. They had five children, Sharon, Bill, Donald, Rodney and Richard. After owning several gas stations, She and Bill bought Howard's Market on 4th street in 1955 and renamed it Duncan’s Garden Spot. They sold garden supplies in the spring, local fresh fruits and vegetables in late summer and groceries all year long. After 20 years they sold the store in 1975.

Jean was an avid gardener, pinochle player and loved to knit and crochet, knitting a new blanket for each of her newborn grandchildren. She was also an expert making and decorating cakes, making countless wedding cakes for friends and family. She loved to travel and after signing up for a timeshare in Mazatlán, Mexico, made more than twenty trips there with family and friends. She often remarked that she could live out of a suitcase.

She was active in the United Methodist Church, serving as wedding coordinator and went on a mission to Jamaica to help build a church. She also volunteered for over 3500 hours at Kootenai Memorial Hospital. After almost 45 years of marriage, Bill passed in 1983. She met Walter Thiemens and they were married in 1998. Walt passed away in 2000, while visiting Jean’s son Rodney and family in Sydney, Australia.

Jean was preceded by both her parents, Frank and Jesse; husbands, William and Walt; sons, William and Don; and siblings, Jack McKay, Dan McKay, and Bernice Brown. She is survived by daughter, Sharon Donahue Wimmer of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; two sons, Rodney Duncan of Sydney, Australia, and Richard Duncan of Meridian, Idaho, 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed.

As per her wishes there will be no graveside services. A celebration of life was held on Sept. 10 for family. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to her favorite charity St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements provided by Yates Funeral Home.