World War II nurse turns 100 Sunday

Grandma Jeanne Richmond turns 100 Sunday.

She was born July 20, 1925, as Helen Jeanne Hoppe. She never really liked the name Helen, so she went by her middle name. She was born in New Harmony just 4 miles south of Clinton, Mo. That was the year radio was becoming significant and the first TV pictures were transmitted. 

The family moved to Iowa because her father began a temporary job with the highway department. That is where Jeanne first attended school in kindergarten. When she was 5, the family moved into the grandparents' home just a short way from the home they left so they could come back to Missouri. Jeanne had a sister, Gwendolyn, who was four years older. They were not very close growing up because of the age difference. Her brother, Ernest James Jr., was closer in age and is remembered for giving her rides on the horse into town. Visiting Jim was the reason for the first trip Jeanne took, to visit him in the service in Illinois. Her brother, Robert (Bob), rounded out the siblings as the baby of the family. 

Jeanne’s dream as far back as she remembers was to become a nurse. In about 1945, she entered nursing school because being in the Army Nursing Corp allowed her to go for no cost. She graduated in 1948 from Burge School of Nursing, in Springfield, Mo. She spent most of her time in obstetrics and gynecology. Just before she graduated, she married John Donald Floyd in a small ceremony at her parents' home in Springfield. She met John at a USO dance and was introduced by her nursing school friend, Ida Jean. Jeanne says it was maybe love at first sight for her anyway.

Jeanne and John had two daughters: Jana born in 1953 and Jackie in 1956. They have five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

John died in 1990. Afterward, Jeanne decided to move to Coeur d’Alene, where her daughter, Jackie, lived. She bought a home and became active in the community and her church. She traveled with the Ramblin Rovers and enjoyed bowling and golf. In 1999, she married a good man, Ralph Richmond. They met through church and had seven great years together, traveling and being there for family and friends. The marriage gave Jeanne two new sons and their families. Ralph died in 2006.

Jeanne says her longevity is a tribute to her good genes. Her sister, Gwendolyn, lived to be 102 and her mother just short of 100. She says that her best advice would be to be honest.