JEAN ZAHNER

Jean Zahner of Burbank, WA, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on January 4, 2025. Born in Logan, Iowa, on March 24, 1930, to Louise and Victor Johnson, she had many escapades growing up with her younger brother, Victor. One was discovering how much fun it was to break eggs on the chicken shed wall. On to her school years, she excelled, made lifelong friends and graduated Salutatorian of Logan High School, Class of 1948.

Jean and Frank married in 1949 and started life on their farm near Scranton, Iowa. They raised 4 daughters and Jean encouraged them in 4-H, swim team, school sports, education and piano. She organized road trips to the Rockies, West Coast and Canada. Crammed into a pickup camper, these summer trips are our favorite memories, plus sledding and ice skating in the winter. In 1976, they made a life change, sold the farm and moved to Kennewick, WA. They believed in AFS and hosted an exchange student, Emma, from Mexico. LeeAnn became an exchange student to Japan for one year.

After 34 fruitful years, their marriage ended. Jean's new chapter was inspiring: she chose to start college at age 52 and became a student leader. She graduated magna cum laude, earning a degree in business administration from Central Washington University. She traveled the world, became a certified scuba diver and an avid skier. Jean was a generous soul who loved to give back to others. She spent countless hours volunteering for her ski club, as an election precinct chair and at St. Joseph Parish in Kennewick.

Jean's charitable spirit and focus on education led to her creating an endowment scholarship at Columbia Basin College. She also left an indelible legacy by supporting her grandchildren through college. They called her Mimi and are forever grateful for everything she has done for them. Mimi's clan is spread over several states, so to keep the family close, she orchestrated the Zahner Family Reunions at Disneyworld, a beach house in Hawaii, a dude ranch in Wyoming, houses in Sun Valley, Sunriver and Suncadia (a sun theme here), Leavenworth, Lake Chelan, Oregon Coast and many others. She loved having her family together which created strong bonds between all the cousins.

After 22 years of fabulous single life, Jean married Duane Poe in 2005. They relished their quiet, quality days in Burbank, Washington, especially enjoying fishing and camping trips to National Parks. Jean has reunited with her beloved partner, who preceded her in death by 6 weeks. The family is forever grateful for his loving care of our Mother.

Jean is survived by four daughters: Chris (Stuart), Mary (Tom), Teresa (Al) and LeeAnn. 8 grandchildren: Scott, Kristin, Bryce, Kelly, Mara, Elliott, Ella and Adam.

12 great grandchildren: Natalie, Owen, Avery, Elise, Charlotte, Lynley, Georgia, Hannah, Bekah, Olivia, Luke and Clare. We all love her dearly. She lived an exemplary life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials could be made to:

Columbia Basin College Foundation,

Jean Zahner Endowed Scholarship Fund,

2600 N. 20th Avenue, Pasco, WA 99301

or by telephone 509.542.4436.