Obituaries & Tributes

Jeanne Ellen Tiedje Easterling

Jeanne Tiedje Easterling, 88, was born on Jan. 5, 1932 in Tucson, Ariz. to William David Tiedje and Lucile Margaret Ewer Tiedje. Her family moved to Creswell, Ore. in 1943 where she attended Creswell schools. She was an excellent student — serving in many leadership roles — and graduated in 1949.  

In 1955 she married Paul Topf and had two children. In 1967 she married Jerry Easterling and had a daughter. Together she and Jerry moved to Grand Ronde, Ore., where they raised their family and lived on a farm for over 30 years. After Jerry retired, they eventually settled in Sisters, Ore. 

Jeanne had the rare gift of perfect pitch, and enjoyed both vocal and instrumental music. She was an accomplished pianist and accompanied many school and church choirs, played for numerous weddings and funerals and many family gatherings. 

She was also an excellent secretary and bookkeeper. She worked for State Farm for many years, the Holt Adoption Agency (which originated in Creswell), and for the watercolor artist Judy Buswell. Judy used Jeanne’s beautiful handwriting for the messages inside her lovely illustrated greeting cards. 

Jeanne was a great cook and excellent baker, and was famous for her chocolate chip cookies. When people walked into her kitchen that is sometimes the first thing they looked for! 

She was also an avid reader, often reading several books at a time and loved playing pinochle, doing crossword puzzles and cherished time spent with family. 

Jeanne is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Easterling, and her sister Betty Gilman. She is survived by her three children, Susan Mason of Camas, Wash.; Steve Topf of Newberg, Ore. and Leith Easterling of Sisters, Ore.; six grandchildren and her sister Barbara Few of Creswell, Ore.

Jeanne was a loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother and faithful friend. She will be deeply, deeply missed. 

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Instagram

 

View this profile on Instagram

 

The Chronicle (@thechronicle1909) • Instagram photos and videos