Obituary of Jean Kathryn Martin Kline

Jean Kathryn Martin Kline

1923-2018

Jean Kline, 95, of Boise, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 15, 2018.

Jean was born in Ashland, Pennsylvania on September 8, 1923, the fifth of six children of Arthur and Kathryn Martin.

In 1944, as Jean was finishing nursing school at Bryn Mawr, she met and fell in love with Harold “Bud” Kline who was studying at Haverford College as part of the Army Specialized Training Program.  They married in June 1944, shortly before Bud shipped out during WWII.  After Bud’s return, his completion of college and a few years of work experience, Jean and Bud moved to Los Angeles in 1954 where they settled in, adapted to west coast life and raised their two daughters, Alice and Deborah.  During that time Jean was a homemaker, mother extraordinaire, and actively involved in civic engagement and work in the Episcopal Church.  She later expanded her career into corporate work, managing contracts and customer support for ITT Courier until her retirement in 1986.

Jean and Bud moved to Boise, Idaho in 1987 to be closer to family and enjoy time with their grandchildren.  Jean immediately became involved in her new community: volunteering for Meals on Wheels, at her great-grandson’s elementary school, getting out the vote as a member of the Idaho Democratic party, and supporting social outreach programs at St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral.

Jean was known for her kindness and compassion, her deep love of family, travel, dancing, long walks, and her work in the communities in which she lived.   She rejoiced in the great variety of people and views that make up our world.  She excelled at making everyone feel welcomed and special.

Jean is predeceased by Harold “Bud,” her husband and best friend of 71 years.  She is survived by her sister, Doris Giornesto, daughters Alice Rupe (Emerson Maxson), Deborah (Charley) Pratt, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren (soon to be seven!).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lillian Vallely School, Blackfoot, Idaho, which serves Native American children living on the Fort Hall reservation, or to St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral, Boise, Idaho for “Come to the Banquet,” a monthly festive and free meal program for those in need.