Jeneane Taylor, 88

Jeneane Taylor, 88, passed away on Feb. 13, 2019.

Jeneane was born on Jan. 23, 1931, to Goldie and Louis Bernard in Somers. She was raised on the family farm in Birch Grove, north of Kalispell and went to school at Birch Grove Country School. At only 13 years of age, Jeneane lied about her age so she could get her driver’s license, leave home, and get a job. At age 14, she went to work for Harry and Grace Taylor on their family farm on the north edge of Flathead Lake.

Jeneane married the Taylors’ son, Roger Taylor, and they had three children. The family stayed on the family farm, oftentimes struggling to make enough money.

Jeneane was known throughout the Flathead community as a Fuller Brush sales rep, which she did for many decades to help supplement the family’s farming income, even though farm wives, in those days, were expected to remain at home. However, Jeneane proudly persevered and hauled boxes of merchandise throughout the Lower Valley and was known and loved by many.

After 53 years of marriage, Roger passed away. Two years later, Jeneane was remarried to Jim Crow. They spent 10 years together.

Jeneane was known for her leadership qualities. She was a prominent leader in 4-H as well as other groups within the Flathead community.

Jeneane had an undeniable love for her horses. As long as she was sitting on a saddle and her horse was in the mountains, her heart was overflowing with joy. It is likely that every inch of the mountains surrounding the Flathead Valley at some point had been traveled by Jeneane, her horse, and one of her many accompanying Jack Russell dogs. She was even known for leading teams of trail riders out on horseback into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. She was fierce; grizzly bears even stood down when Jeneane came around the corner.

In 2013, Jeneane moved to Helena to be near family.

Jeneane’s faith in God and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is what she would say gave her the strength she needed to push through during the many times of pain and struggle in her life. Her life was not always easy. In fact, many times she simply wanted to give up, but it was her faith in God that allowed her to keep pressing forward. Jeneane’s enduring strength has been tangible to those around her, even until the end.

Jeneane is survived by her three children, Bill (Esther) Taylor, Sandy (Jim) Standley, and Ron (Robbin) Taylor; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. A celebration service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. A reception will follow at 2 p.m. at Bigfork Chapel Assembly of God, 290 Swan Hwy.

Flowers, cards, or memorials may be sent to Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Please feel free to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Jeneane.