Obituary: Jean McDaniel, 92, Hood River
Jean McDaniel was born June 28, 1931, in Miles City, Montana, to Otto and Elsie (Crider) Freeman. She passed away on March 19th, 2024, in Hood River, Oregon, at the age of 92.
In 1948, Jean graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City.
She married James C. Bastian, with whom she had three children.
The family lived on a ranch in the Pine Hills near Miles City, then Colorado and South Dakota.
Following divorce, Jean married Jack McDaniel and returned to Miles City in 1962. They divorced in 1966.
She worked for Beacon Carter, the Veteran's Administration Hospital, and the Social Security Administration. Her 30 years working as a claims representative for the SSA included offices in Miles City, Dickinson, North Dakota, Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Pendleton, Oregon.
Following retirement, Jean worked as a receptionist for Professional Services in Pendleton.
In 2006, she moved to Hood River and volunteered at May Street Elementary School, serving in the SMART reading program for several years.
Jean enjoyed gardening and grew beautiful flowers and vegetables. She was an avid canner; it was a skill she learned from her mother. Jean studied oil painting and gifted her quality paintings to family members. “Gigi” was always present at family gatherings and delighted in watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in their various activities. Jean loved to travel. Visiting family provided her the opportunity to travel all over the country and enjoy many new adventures.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, brother James Freeman, and sister Thelma May (Freeman) White, all of Miles City.
Jean is survived by a son, James C. Bastian Jr. and his wife Janet (Reid) of Miles City, Montana; daughter, Cheryl Lynn (Larry) Madsen of Hood River, Oregon; and daughter, Terry Jean (Roger "Rock") Gullickson of Boring, Oregon; granddaughter, Shelby (Travis) Prichard of Turner, Oregon; grandson, Chad (Emily) Madsen of Astoria, Oregon; and great-grandchildren, Rylee, Josie, Carson, Daphne, Griffin and Luca.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at Custer County Cemetery in Miles City.
Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels. (Meals on Wheels c/o Hood River Valley Adult Center, 2010 Sterling Place, Hood River, OR 97031)
Local arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family. Montana arrangements are under the direction of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home (1717 Main St., Miles City, MT 59301 P: 406.232.4457).
