euskalkultura.eus

03/02/2022 - Eagle, Idaho, USA

UPDATE: Services for Jean-Louis Cihigoyenetche will be on Saturday, March 12 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boise at 811 S. Latah Street, Boise, Idaho at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow.

[Thanks to Lisa Corcostegui for sharing these words in memory of Jean Louis:]

Jean Louis Cihigoyenetche was born on December 27, 1938 at Hartchaina in Arnegi, Lower Navarre.

He was one of eight children born to Simon Cihigoyenetche and Graciana Begue. As a child he was responsible for bringing the milking cows in, and later in life would work in the dairy industry.

Jean Louis immigrated to the United States in 1958 at the age of 19.

His first job in the States was milking cows. He later started his own dairy farm in Chino. Jean Louis joined the La Puente Basque Club two or three years after arriving in California and began to teach dance and did so for about 15 years.

He was an accomplished dancer back home in Arnegi and Luzaide and had participated with the bolantak.

He said that when he first performed as a bolanta he felt like a movie star.

It was through dance that he met his wife, Anne Carrique from Lekuine, Lapurdi.

They were married by Basque priest Father Chalet on February 20, 1966 at St. Margaret's in Chino.

The couple was blessed with two sons, Bernard and Michel.

Jean Louis and Anne moved to Emmett, Idaho in 1976 where they started a dairy farm. They later sold the cows, moved to Eagle, Idaho and after a few years, started their own cleaning business.

Continuing his love and involvement of Basque culture, Jean Louis joined the Biotzetik Basque Choir in Boise. He attended many Basque celebrations throughout the Treasure Valley and was always happy to lend a hand or a beautiful singing voice.

He also transmitted his knowledge of the dances of Arnegi and Luzaide to interested younger dancers including Oinkari in Boise, Idaho and Zenbat Gara in Reno, Nevada.

All of us to whom he imparted his cultural legacy can count ourselves as fortunate, indeed. He will be missed and fondly remembered.

Goian Bego. May rest in Peace