Jo Jane Paul

On November 7, 2018 Jo Jane Paul, 72 of Moscow, Idaho passed away due to a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Jo Jane was born January 21, 1946 to Edwin and Betty Senter in Lewiston, Idaho.  Jo Jane was raised in the Lapwai area and always spoke fondly of the fun times of her youth hanging out with her girlfriends and family.  It is here where she would meet Reuben Paul Jr., a strapping young man that lived just down the road by Spaulding.   Jo Jane and Reuben were married in 1964 and they would have 2 children, Lewis and Leilani.  Jo Jane loved the outdoors and she and Reuben would spend a great deal of time hunting, fishing and cutting fire wood. 

Jo Jane moved the family to Craigmont, Idaho in the early 70's and there she would stay until 1986.   During her time in Craigmont she lost Reuben in November of 1975 and found herself raising 2 children by herself.  She took many different jobs to make ends meet and never complained of hard work.  Cook, bartender, waitress, housekeeper, dishwasher and supermom.  

Jo Jane never let on to her children that they were considered poor and always provided the necessary things.  Much of what she considered free time was spent baking breads, pies, and canning fish and meat in preparation for the winter months.  Her household was a gathering place for many of her children's friends.  Some of those friendships would span almost 50 years.  Jo Jane considered them all her own children and she always looked forward to their visits.

After raising her children and giving them the opportunity to succeed at life, Jo Jane moved to Pullman, Washington and worked as a sorority cook for 16 years on the WSU campus.   After her retirement in 2002 she spent much of her time following her grandchildren's activities.  She was a proud grandmother and loved any sport they were involved in.  On some of those sporting events Jo Jane would voice her opinion to an unfortunate umpire.  Sometimes she got over it.  Most the time not.

She loved the holidays, the family gatherings, Monday Night Football, and going out to dinner.  Jo Jane was also a music lover.  At any given time JoJane had music playing.  She was a classic rock n roller that loved listening to Bob Seger, Lynyard Skynyard, and other classic bands.  She liked her music loud and blew out more than one speaker in her car.  

Jo Jane will be terribly missed by her family and friends.  She was a caring person that always put other people’s needs ahead of her own.

Jo Jane was preceded in death by her husband Reuben, Grandmother Sybil Ricketts, parents Betty and Edwin, and brother Steve.

Jo Jane is survived by her brother Robert Senter of Whitebird, son Lewis and Pamela of Viola, daughter Leilani (Paul) and Dale West of Coeur d'Alene, grandson Jesse Paul of Moscow, grandson Jarod Paul of Spokane, grandson Justin Paul of Viola, and grandson Brandon West of Coeur d'Alene.

A Celebration of Life for Jo Jane will be held at the Viola Community Center in Viola, Idaho November 17, 2018 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to her grandchildren's college fund at gofundme.com under JoJane-Paul-Memorial so they may achieve their educational goals.

 “When the darkness appears and the night draws near, And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand, Guide my feet, hold my hand, Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home.”

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