FOOTE, Ethel L. (Ball)

Ethel Lea Foote, 85, of Idaho Falls, passed away Sept. 22, 2010, at her home after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Lea was born April 5, 1925, in Hennepin, Okla., to Viva and Lloyd Ball. She was the sixth of 10 children. She grew up in Oklahomaand played basketball for OklahomaCollegefor Women. She married Riley Franklin Foote on June 2, 1946, in Fort Sill, Okla.They moved to Idaho Fallsin 1952, where Riley took a job with the Atomic Energy Commission. Lea and Riley had two children, Anna Lea and Ernest Riley. Ernie was killed in 1976, and Riley died from leukemia in 1978. Lea met Bill Lepetic in 1979, and they have enjoyed life together ever since. Lea was a devoted grandmother and played a large role in the nurturing and rearing of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a creative, talented seamstress who loved making things for her family and home. She was an avid golfer, enjoyed snowmobiling and had a green thumb when it came to growing flowers. Lea's home was her pride and joy, and she liked nothing more than having friends and family over for dinner. She was a lover of animals and had many pets throughout her life. She is survived by her life companion, Bill Lepetic; daughter, Ann (Richard) Howell of Idaho Falls; granddaughter, Gretchen (Matt) Maloney of Idaho Falls; grandson, Rob (Jamie) Meikle of Alpine, Wyo.; granddaughter, Jessica (Tom Newman) Meikle of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and four great-grandchildren, Madison Maloney, Conner Maloney, Desa Inskeep and Tassie Meikle. She also has two surviving brothers, Carrol Wayne (Carol Ann) Ball of California and William (Geraldine) Ball of Marlow, Okla.She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Riley Franklin Foote; and her 16-year-old son, Ernest Riley Foote. The family would especially like to thank Hands of Hope Hospice for their kind and loving care of Lea. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m.Saturday, Sept. 25, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave.in Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends from 10 a.m.to 10:45 a.m.Saturday prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will be in the TaylorCemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to encourage donations be made to the Snake River Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 51741, Idaho Falls, ID 83405-1174