Obituary of Jean Eiguren

Jean Pauline Eiguren of Boise, Idaho died October 19, 2011 at Boise Health and Rehabilitation Center, where she was living at the time of her death. Funeral services will be held at 1PM on Monday, October 24th at Summers Funeral Home, 1205 W. Bannock Street, Boise, Idaho 83702. Jean was born June 13, 1921 in Talmadge, Nebraska to Paul and Lucile (Chism) Hampel. 10 years later her younger sister Patricia was born. At the age of two, the family moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she attended some of her elementary school years before moving back to Stella, Nebraska near the family farm for a few years and then on to complete her middle and high school education in the Denver school system, after graduating from South High School where she was an honor student. She went on to attend Business College at Lincoln School of Commerce in Nebraska. After graduation she spent a year at her maternal grandparents' farm back in Stella, and was employed as a legal secretary. In January, 1943 she married William H. Marts and had two children: David William Marts (deceased April, 1986) and Deborah Jean Marts they were married for 22 years. As her husband would later be deployed out of The U.S. Marine Core's Camp Pendleton during World War II, Jean remained in California and worked as a legal secretary in Los Angeles, California. After the war, the couple farmed in Stella, Nebraska near both of their family's farms before moving in 1957 to an acreage just outside of Nampa, Idaho. After the couple divorced in 1967 Jean moved into the city of Nampa working for the Idaho Department of Employment where she met Joseph Eiguren and would later be married to him in 1977. They later made their home in Boise, Idaho where they were busy with Joe's interest and heavy involvement with the Basque Museum, Basque Language Programs and his manuscripts that would later be published as books about his life and culture. Jean was a very active member of The United Presbyterian Church in Nampa, Idaho and later at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Boise, Idaho, where she served as an Elder for the Church and a member of the church choir and loved to attend Church functions. Jean had a love of music and always made certain a piano was a mainstay in her home. She participated in the Reflections sextette, The Majors and Minors, The Musettes and the Nampa Federation of Music for many years. She had a strong commitment to community involvement and philanthropy and always made certain to stay involved as a volunteer with the Elks Hospital, Monarch Lions Club and Women's Crisis Center of Boise. She also held a membership with the Beta Sigma Phi business sorority. Survivors of Jean's family include: Her sister: Mrs. Patricia McCloud and her children, Scott McLoud, Daniel McLoud and Sally Routh Her Daughter Ms. Debi Marts and her Deceased Son David's widow: Mrs. Yolanda Curtis Her Stepson: Roy Eiguren and his wife Miren Grandchildren: Todd Prater, Steen Marts, Aaron Marts (Wife: Jamie Marts), Pauline Prater, Angela Powell (Husband: Ryan Powell) Amaya Eiguren (Husband: Nick Smith), Joseph Eiguren (Wife: Katie Eiguren) Great Grandchildren: Esperanza Prater and Creese Powell, Andoni Eiguren-Smith. Jean's wishes were to accept donations in lieu of flowers to any of the following philanthropic organizations: Women's and Children Alliance Center of Boise: 720 West Washington St. Boise, ID 83702 http://www.wcaboise.org Ronald McDonald House: 101 Warm Springs Avenue Boise, ID 83712 http://www.rmhidaho.org