Jeanne Marie (Joki) Tanner passed peacefully with her family on Monday November 9, 2020. She was 95 years old.
Jeanne was born in Butte and spent most of her 95 years there, her pride of the town never faltered. She spoke of the hay days of Girl’s Central, trolly cars and bustling streets; the boys she knew who fought in WWII and danced at the USO.
Jeanne was a trailblazer for women in business spending over 40 years as an accountant/corporate secretary at Roberts Rocky Mountain Equipment Company. She was the owner of the uptown dress shop, J. J.s Klothes Kloset. Jeanne was passionate about politics and ran for office for the first time at the age of 83. She won and served two terms as public administrator. Jeanne prided herself as being an accomplished woman and mother, but was likely also known for her lavish cocktail parties and stylish dress, which always included pearls and high heels. She belonged to the same card club for over 60 years, volunteered at St. James Hospital for 15 years, volunteered in the schools reading with children and had many friends. She loved to travel and Tony Bennett.
Jeanne is preceded in death by her parents; Leonard Backstrom and Anne Cecelia Kinsella, her siblings; Rosemary, Michael, Chris, Marty, Anne, Jim and Joe Backstrom, her spouses: Leo Joki and Jack Tanner, and her daughter-in-law, Angela Joki. She is survived by her sister Frances Oswald of Great Falls. She was the mother of 5 children: Kris (Hugh) Roberts, Laura (Gerald) Peyton, Leah Joki (John Westenberg), J. Michael Joki and Kate Joki (Dan) Rose. She was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Joslyn Carney, H.J. Roberts, Reid Peyton, Taylor Aponavicius, Alex Peyton, Mikel Butler, Nelo Butler, Jenna Joki and Hannah Joki. She also had 8 great grandchildren.
Jeanne was the matriarch of a big, diverse family and will be missed dearly. In lieu of flowers please make donations in her honor to the Butte Food Bank and St. Ann’s Church. You may also donate professional clothes for battered women at Safe Space of Butte.
Visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 at St. Ann’s Catholic, 2100 Farragut Ave., Butte, MT 59701. A funeral mass will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Be sure to attend in your finest dress… and pearls, of course. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jeanne. Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena, MT, and Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services have been privileged to care for Jeanne and her family.
Tom Jonart says
So very sorry for your lossy our Mom was a beautiful woman,inside and out.All the club women were amazing.