Jeanine Lynn Montgomery

     Jeanine Lynn Montgomery, 36, a resident of Gooding, Idaho, left us way too soon. 

     Jeanine started life way too early when she was born two months premature on June 29, 1989.  She was only 3 ½ pounds, but tough and strong.  After a few weeks in the NICU, she came home to her loving and excited older brothers, Daniel and Michael.  A short thirteen months later her younger brother, Eric, came along and the family was complete.  When she was two, her mom, Shirley (Tollefson) Montgomery, got divorced and moved with the kids from Warroad, MN to Grand Forks, ND.  She later married Kevin Montgomery and once again their family was complete. 

     When she was nine, the family moved to Gooding, ID.  With being born two months early, her legs were twisted in a way that made them painful.  The family was encouraged to go to the Shriner’s Hospital where a doctor identified the problem and assured her that he could fix it.  Jeanine was so excited about not having to be in pain any longer that she cried happy tears!!  Within a year, the problem was corrected and she could participate in activities like other students.

     From a very young age, music was a huge part of Jeanine’s life.  She loved to sing and had a beautiful voice.  Her early high school years were split between Heritage Christian Academy and Gooding High School.  It was here that she flourished in music with Mr. Tony Randall leading the students through a musical journey of respect and creativity.  Her sweet soul drew people to her and she had many friends, too many to mention.  Outside of school she participated in youth group and the worship team at Desert Hills Church of the Nazarene.  She was always the happiest when she was singing.

     After graduation from Gooding High School in 2007, she went straight to college at the College of Southern Idaho.  It was while attending there that she met and married Ian Lantry.  In 2010 their son, Thomas James, was born.  He was the absolute joy of her life.  They later divorced, but stayed committed to raising their son together.  In June of 2015, Jeanine moved to Kennewick, WA.  She made many lifelong friends there. 

     Jeanine moved back to Gooding, ID in January 2018.  She found a job that became an integral part of who she was.  Teaching computer classes at Wendell Elementary School made her light up.  She loved every child that came through her classroom.  For a brief time, she moved to Nampa, ID where she was able to continue doing the job that she loved, only it was at Endeavor Elementary School. 

     In the fall of 2024, she moved back to Gooding, ID to be close to family and was blessed to discover that her position at Wendell Elementary School teaching computers was again available to her.  She jumped back in with her whole heart and loved all she did there.  She continued this position until the time of her passing.

     While living in Nampa her brother Michael passed away.  This was life changing for her in so many ways.  She loved fiercely those close to her and she missed him terribly.

     Jeanine will be loved and missed always and forever by those she left behind, her parents, Kevin and Shirley; her brothers, Daniel and Eric, her son and joy of her life, Thomas; her grandparents Raymond and Marian Tollefson, and her cats Whisper and London.  She is also survived by many cousins, aunts, uncles, many other extended family members, friends, and all those whose lives she touched.  

     She was preceded in death by her brother, Michael, grandparents, Nancy Montgomery, and Paul and Liz Montgomery.

     A Celebration of Life will be held on October 26, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the Wendell Elementary School.

     Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.

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