Obituary of Irma Jean Baine

Irma Jean Baine, just shy of her 97th birthday, passed away in Jackson, California on August 22, 2023. Jean was born on August 31, 1926, in Custer, South Dakota. Her parents were Arleigh Hobson and Leora Malcom Gundlach, formerly of Sutter Creek.

Jean lived in Sutter Creek from the early 1960s to 1978 before moving to Jackson for the remainder of her long life.

She is survived by her daughters Karen Baine of Jackson; Donna Murphy (Craig) of Hilo, HI; Linda Green of Springfield, OH; Dorothy Walsh (Daniel) of Carmichael; and foster daughter Dr. Ginger Shook Riley (Dale) of Brea. Jean’s seven grandchildren include Robert Green (Yza) of Wartburg, TN; Christopher Murphy of Citrus Heights; Crystal Green Kusak (Chris) of Springfield, OH; Chelsea Walsh (Tom) of Lincoln; Karalyn Murphy Woodard (Joshua) of Mililani, HI; Ryan Riley of Brea, and Daniel Walsh (Raylene) of Santee. Jean’s eight great-grandchildren include Ashlyn Kusak, Eliana Speck, Chelsy and Robert Green, Jaxx and Kaze Woodard, and Mattis and Liam Walsh, who was born a week following Jean’s passing.

Jean enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She has traveled with family members throughout California, and also to South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Ohio, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Among her many other unforgettable activities, Jean will also be remembered for playing a competitive game of pinochle, an adventurous helicopter flight over her precious Black Hills of South Dakota, zip-lining down Fremont Street in Las Vegas at age 90, memorable visits to Alaska and Hawaii in the past few years, and for giving the most unusual Christmas and birthday presents. Family members will treasure their memories of Jean (a.k.a Grandma Tie) as the life of the party at her children’s and grandchildren’s weddings.

With her kind and loving spirit as well as unquestioning willingness to share, Jean will be greatly missed by her dear ones, and by all who knew and cherished her. As an all-around good person, Jean’s life of nearly a century has been filled with much laughter and countless happy memories. To her very last breath, Jean has served as an inspiring example of unconditional love.

At this time, the family is planning a celebration of life at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers and because of her lifelong love of her four-legged companions, Jean has requested that donations be made to APAL Humane Society, 12360 Trade Center Drive, Jackson, CA 95642.

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