Jean Adell (Smylie) STEUNENBERG

STEUNENBERG, SMYLIE, CARPENDER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/7/2010 at 01:17:59

Idaho Statesman, Boise, ID
November 26, 2008

Jean Adell Smylie Steunenberg died Nov. 16, 2008 at the age of 84 in Naperville, Ill. after a long Illness. Jean was born Aug. 25, 1924 in Dows, Wright County, Iowa. She and her family, Robert Eddy and Florence Adelia Smylie, moved to Idaho and settled in the Notus area where her father was superintendent of schools. She attended schools at Notus, Caldwell High School and the College of Idaho, where she was student body president in 1945. It was at the College of Idaho she met Robert K. Steunenberg. They were married July 20, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Caldwell. The couple then attended the University of Washington where Robert studied for his doctors degree in Chemical Engineering and where Jean finally graduated. During her tenure in Caldwell, she was known as a very gifted piano sight reader and accompanied many, many student artists from vocalists to chamber musicians. Bob and Jean moved to Naperville, Illinois in 1951 where Robert secured employment at the Argonne National Laboratories. Jean was an avid reader and continued her love of the piano by both teaching and accompaniment. She was very active in politics as a member of the League of Women Voters and Precinct Committee Woman as well as a Captain. Politics became a lifelong Interest and during her visits back to Idaho, she loved conversations with her cousin, Governor Robert E. Smylie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Keppel Steunenberg and her parents, Robert E. and Florence Smylie. Surviving is a sister-in-law, Joanne Carpender, of Ft. Collins, Colo. There were no children. A memorial service for Jean was held at the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home in Naperville, Ill. on Saturday, Nov. 22. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008 at the Steunenberg family plot on the northwest corner of the Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Buck Steunenberg Science Fund at the College of Idaho (2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, Idaho 83605) are requested. Services are under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell,