Jeanette Beer

JEANETTE BEER Click here to view Jeanette's Video Tribute IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Jeanette Margaret Cole Tomlinson Lance Beer, 90, of Idaho Falls, died March 7, 2010, at Mt. Vernon Assisted Living Center. She was born December 31, 1919, in Anadarko, Oklahoma, the second daughter of George William (Bill) Cole and Ella Lee Tate Cole. The family, including her older sister, Bertie, moved to Kimberly, Idaho. Jeanette often said at that time there were so many of her mothers' extended family members living on Monroe Street that the community started calling it "Tennessee Street." She spoke of playing with many cousins and being surrounded by aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles and her grandparents. The family moved frequently throughout the Magic and Treasure Valleys. Jeanette, noted for her exceptional handwriting skills, graduated in the Palmer Method of Business Writing in 1933 and from Rupert High School in May 1938. She became a licensed cosmetician in April, 1939. She married Emmett Tomlinson June 25, 1939. As the country geared up for World War II, Emmett was drafted into the Army. Jeanette followed his training, traveling to Texas, Georgia, and Idaho. Part of her story of those years is outlined in the book, The Men From Company K; a copy can be found at the Idaho Falls Library. Emmett was killed in combat in Germany February 28, 1945, and is buried in a military cemetery in Holland. The letter that Jeanette received from General Bolling of the 84th Infantry Division indicated that two of Emmett's friends currently in the front lines would correspond with her. The letters exchanged by Jeanette and Keith Lance, one of Emmett's best friends, are family heirlooms. She married Keith Lance May 27, 1946. They started a business at the Bank Club in Jerome, Idaho, with good friends Crawford and Lorraine Riley, the best man and matron of honor at their wedding. The couple's son, Kent William, was born February 7, 1950. In the early 1950s the family moved to Idaho Falls and purchased Ford's Cigar Store, Bar and Café. Because schools were crowded at that time in Idaho Falls, the family moved to Shelley in 1955. Business circumstance caused the family to move first to Page, Arizona, then Burley, Idaho, and finally back to Shelley as they worked with Willard Wood's restaurant enterprises. Jeanette worked as one of the first bookkeepers at the Westbank restaurant where Keith was bar manager. She later worked as a bookkeeper for Chic Swanson, accountant for Miller Produce in Shelley, Rogers' Brothers Seed company in Idaho Falls, and finally as bookkeeper for Lance Entertainment Agency, the family business. Jeanette and Keith retired in 1983 and traveled around the country by motor home, annually attending the 84th Infantry Division reunions. Keith died October 11, 1988. After Jeanette was widowed, she served as a volunteer at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for several years. Jeanette married childhood friend Harley Beer on December 30, 1989. They traveled extensively, living in California in the winter and Idaho Falls in the summer. Harley died July 29, 1992. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. She continued to attend 84th Division Reunions with her son for several years. She was deeply proud of her veteran husbands and their service to their country. Her son remembers her dedication to hard work, education and her high standards for conduct. She was at her happiest when taking care of people, nursing her parents and, later, her husbands through their illnesses. She was known for superlative housekeeping and hospitality. Jeanette is survived by her sister, Bertie Yawn, of San Leandro, California, her son, Kent W. (Carol) Lance, grandson, Ken K. Lance, and two great-grandchildren, Avraham Alan and William Alexander Lance. After her cremation, Memorial Services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1730 St. Clair, under the direction of Wood Funeral Home and Pastor Dan Thomson-Aue. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church. A graveside will be conducted 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Twin Falls, Idaho. She will be buried beside her husband, Keith. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (800) 805-5856, any Veteran’s organizations, or St. Paul’s UMC, 1730 St. Clair, Idaho Falls, ID 83404. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Asael & Sandy Sievers Kent & family, We are so sorry to hear of Jeanette's passing. She was such an admirable lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.Scott Wilkinson skidawgusa@gmail.com Jeanette Beer Kent, Bertie, and families, I was saddened to read of Jeanette's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.