Jeanette Martineau Bingham passed away October 18, 2025, at 87 years of age.
Jeanette was born May 15, 1938 to Joseph Henry Martineau and Velma Coons in Tucson Arizona. The family later moved to Mesa. Jeanette was the oldest of four children, with siblings Marcia, Linda, and Stan. During the hot summers Jeanette and her friends would run to the store and buy an ice cream bar or two for a nickel a piece. They enjoyed the challenge of running barefoot even though the ground was super hot. They would run from one patch of stickery weeds or grass to the next. Finding grass in the shade was heavenly.
Jeanette took piano lessons for a short time when she was in the second grade. She did not like playing the piano and did not like her teacher. After graduating from Primary, the organization for children in her church, she was asked to be the Primary pianist at twelve years of age. She played with one hand and kept practicing. She later was asked to be the Sunday School organist and after that the Ward organist. Even though she did not have formal training, she became very good at the piano and organ over the years as she served in her Church.
After high school, Jeanette attended and graduated from Brigham Young University. It was there that she met LaMonte Bingham at an Arizona Club dance. They were married July 1,1960 in the Arizona Temple. Monte’s job for the Soil Conservation Service took them to Chinook, Townsend, Glasgow, and then Helena, MT. They were devoted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and served in many different positions over the years. They worked hard for their family of eight children.
In 1981, Jeanette started working for the State Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks in the Parks division as a general office clerk and later a personnel clerk. She worked for twelve years, helping to support her children in college and on volunteer missions for their church.
Jeanette had a great love and natural talent for music. She served in the Church most of her life playing the organ and piano for ward and stake meetings. The highlight for her was when she played the organ for the Billings Montana Temple dedication. She played a beautiful white organ in the celestial room of the temple with a prophet of the Lord, President Gordon B. Hinckley, sitting just a few feet away from her. She felt as long as she lived, she would never be as close to heaven as she was in that moment.
In 1992, Monte began a battle with cancer starting with a tumor attached to his colon that had burst. He suffered much through more tumors and multiple surgeries. Jeanette did all she could to take care of him. He passed away two and a half years later. She was left alone at 56 years of age.
Jeanette carried on with faith and never complained. She felt very blessed and was grateful for the love and support from family and friends. She stayed busy with her growing family- more weddings and lots of grandchildren. At one time, each of her eight children presented her with a new grandchild over a period of 16 months. She traveled to spend time with each of her children and grandchildren and to help with the new babies. She enjoyed traveling with her sisters visiting various places and going to Martineau family reunions. Her sister, Marcia, lived in Hawaii for a time while her husband was employed there. Jeanette made three trips to visit and they had a wonderful time.Jeanette served as an ordinance worker in the Billings Temple for several years. She loved being in the temple. She also had a thirst for studying the Gospel and recommended many great books for us to read. She played the organ at church until it became too difficult physically for her to do so. She had a love and enthusiasm for family history and genealogy. She kept detailed records and pictures, and put together histories of her life and those of other family members.
Jeanette valued her beliefs and spiritual well being more than worldly possessions. Even though she had more than enough money, she only used what she needed to maintain her needs and never drove a new car. She generously gave to various charitable causes as well as to her church.
Jeanette loved watching BYU football and basketball. She took great care of her home and yard. She enjoyed growing beautiful flowers and spent a lot of time caring for them, especially her rose bushes. She worked in the yard as long as she was physically able. She had a great sense of humor and loved a good laugh. Things were just funnier when you were with her.
Jeanette is survived by her eight children, Lanette (Jeff) Bates, Jan (Brett) Pyne, Donna (Bret) Romney, Carla (David) Craner, Joe (Julie) Bingham, Jim (Jodi) Bingham, Laura (Brandon) Hunter, Diane (Louie) Mejia, thirty eight grandchildren and twenty seven great grandchildren.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday November 1, 2025
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1610 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday November 1, 2025
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1610 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana
Burial
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Saturday November 1, 2025
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday November 1, 2025
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1610 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday November 1, 2025
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1610 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana
Burial
Immediately following the Funeral Service
Saturday November 1, 2025
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana
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Sherri L Anderson says
I was very sad when I learned of this wonderful lady’s passing. She was a very gracious lady and I always enjoyed her beautiful organ playing in church. She touched the hearts of many many people. Her void will be felt by many here on Earth. But what a joyous reunion she will have with their wonderful husband and parents in heaven.
Coreen Robson says
I was so sorry to learn of Jeanette’s passing. I worked with her many years ago at Fish, Wildlife and Parks and she was always so positive and upbeat. She always had a smile on her face and never got flustered if she couldn’t answer a question. I also worked with her in various Church callings. She was such a dedicated, patient and fun person to work with. I loved to listen to her play the organ at various church functions. I know she will be dearly missed by her family and friends but know that she will be reunited with Monte and other friends and family in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She will be missed. Love you, Jeanette!
Jane Clark says
I loved this lady so much. We were visiting teaching partners for quite a while, and just grew closer. She always had a smile, and was so kind to all. She will surely be missed.