Jean Dabel passed away August 3, 2025, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She came into this world in her Grandma Wheeler's home in Lewiston, Utah, on July 6, 1930. Jean was the first of four children to Nels and Abbie Anderson. Her younger sisters and brother, Lola, Del-Leda, and Johnny were always a delight in her life.
Like most folks during the depression, her parents were poor but continued to be very hard workers and provide for their family. In her childhood years, the family moved numerous times between Idaho and Utah. They went where there was work available. They moved from Lewiston to Hagerman, and then Gooding and Bliss, Idaho. They moved back to Lewiston when their home burned down, and her dad was away working in the shipyards in Portland, Oregon. Jean started her junior year at Bliss High School, graduating in 1948.
Jean enrolled in Nurses' School in September 1948 in Idaho Falls. She had chosen Idaho Falls because of the beautiful temple next door to the school and hospital.
Jean met Otto Andrews on a blind date. Otto was a WWII Veteran, a very hard worker, and as she always said, "A super good boy!" After a few months of dating, they were married on August 30, 1950, in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. The happy couple were blessed with five children, Janice, Marilyn, Karla, Craig, and Teresa. After a twenty-three-year health battle and three open-heart surgeries, Otto passed away April 29, 1981.
Jean met JR Dabel at a Stake Special Interests dance. They were married February 15, 1985. After two years of commuting, Jean retired from the hospital and moved to Afton, Wyoming. She was quickly accepted in Star Valley as JR was a born and bred local and seemed to know everyone. JR died November 21, 2006, at home, not far from where he was born.
Jean had a natural talent for music. She participated in group violin lessons as a teenager, and again in group organ lessons in her 80s. Piano lessons for her girls were a must, that all the kids kept their rooms clean, that we all went to church each week, and felt she was a reasonably good mother and had at least tried hard to meet their needs. She struggled to enjoy camping but finally accepted the slight inconvenience of no Motel 6 nearby. There was a small glimmer of acceptance of the out-of-doors while at hunting camp with JR and finally turned in her dancing shoes for hiking boots.
She had a passion for oil painting and to continue to serve those who needed compassion and comfort as she had given others as a nurse for 39 years. Jean was the happiest when she had just given birth to a new baby. Jean was grateful she could serve in the Idaho Falls Temple after JR died as she had returned to Idaho Falls. Jean was especially grateful for her parents' sacrifice to provide her with violin lessons; and most grateful to her family who showed her great love and compassion as she aged.
Jean is survived by daughters: Janice and Elias Williams of Challis, Idaho; Marilyn and Brett Johnson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Karla and Jim Scott of Rigby, Idaho; and Teresa and Steve Steffler of Iona, Idaho; son, Craig and Wendy Andrews of Idaho Falls, Idaho; step-daughter, Lisa Reynolds of Nampa, Idaho; sister, Del-Leda Brewer of Arco, Idaho; and brother, John and Patsy Anderson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 14 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild on the way.
She was preceded in death by both husbands; grandsons, Nicholas Scott and Woody Long; great-grandson, Austin Hayes; and sister, Lola Fink.
The family wishes to thank MorningStar Assisted Living for their wonderful care of Jean and Aspen Home Health & Hospice for their compassionate service the last five days of her life.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the Lincoln LDS Church, 3700 E. Lincoln Road. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery.