Jeannie Lynn Harris, 37
Jeannie Lynn Harris, 37, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash.
Viewing for friends and family will be held from 7-8 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2016, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint, Idaho. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, at the First Christian Church. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery.
Known as “Bean” to many, Jeannie was born to Ted and Barb Pearson on Sept. 15, 1978, in Olympia, Wash. Her childhood was shared with her sisters Laurie and Kris, and brother Geoffrey, making memories with the Vail, Grillo, Hamon, and Harrison families. At age 9, she stood to her feet to express her choice to serve God and continued faithfully.
After graduating from Omak High School in 1997, Jeannie attended two years at the University of Washington. There she became roommates and best friends with Char, who later married her husband’s lifelong friend, Brad Weeda. They continued a friendship that was sweetened by their choices to live in faith.
Following a study abroad in Vienna, Jeannie returned to Oregon State University and over a vacuum and some Rice Krispy treats, she met Ryan, the man she would share her life with. During their courtship, Jeannie battled Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with Ryan by her side. With the support of her family and friends in the Omak area, she beat the cancer and was able to return to OSU to finish her degree in exercise sports science. As soon as her hair returned to cover her head in a mass of curls, her father walked her down the aisle to exchange vows with Ryan Harris in July 2002.
Ryan and Jeannie made their first home in Albany, Ore., where Jeannie taught at South Albany High School. They started their family with the disappointing loss of a son, Conner at birth and the blessing of Lane’s birth a year later. In 2008, they moved to Sandpoint, where Morgan was born. Later they welcomed another son, Logan.
In Sandpoint, they created Mountain Memories as they loved the outdoors as a family. On cold winter days, Jeannie spent her time mastering different crafts, making a welcoming home, and supporting her children in their learning and life. Many days were filled with family and laughter. Jeannie shared her soft spontaneous smile and a twinkle in her eye at the actions of her children, nieces, and nephews. She loved to help prepare for the Bonner convention and to have ministers, family, and friends in her home.
In her final battle with cancer she continually inspired hope despite facing week after week of bad news. Her concern was for her husband and children as they faced many difficult days. Before resting in God’s hands for eternity she gave her children a final squeeze, and later passed with her husband by her side.
Jeannie was preceded in death by her first-born son, Connor; and mother-in-law, Jean Harris. Jeannie is survived by her husband, Ryan; and three children, Lane, 9, Morgan, 7, and Logan, 5; her parents, Ted and Barb Pearson of Omak, Wash.; her sisters, Laurie Gordon of Hoquiam, Wash., and Kris (Gaylen) Grooms of Chewelah, Wash.; a brother, Geoffrey (Jocelyn) of Newport, Wash.; and 17 nieces and nephews.
As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend to us, we will miss Jeannie very much. Her life will be remembered for her faithfulness to God, encouraging all of us. We all will cherish the memories we have made with her.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Jeannie’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.