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Ellen Ineas Martindale

May 21, 1937 - Apr. 24, 2024

Date of Service: May 1, 2024

DECLO – Ellen Ineas Martindale, age 86, of Declo, passed away Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Autumn Haven in Rupert.

Ellen was born May 21, 1937, on the family-homesteaded farm north of Shoshone, Idaho, to Marian (Marianna) and Manuel Ineas, immigrants from the island of Pico in the Azores Islands off the coast of Portugal. Much of the Ineas family came from the Azores in 1916, with Ellen’s two oldest sisters in tow, to work the farmland and make a new life for themselves in this country. The family entered the US through Ellis Island in New York City, and they all spoke only Portuguese at the time of their arrival. Grandpa Ineas was adamant that if the family was going to live in this country, everyone would learn to speak English as soon as possible. Ellen was the youngest of nine daughters born to Manuel and Marian. They lived on the farm until around 1941, and then moved into the town of Shoshone because of Manuel’s health. Ellen’s father was killed in a vehicle and train accident at the main Shoshone train crossing in 1946, when she was nine years old. She continued to be raised by her mother and loving older sisters.

She graduated from Shoshone High in 1955, and went on to dental hygiene school in Seattle. She married Lewis O. Martindale, her high school sweetheart of Shoshone, in 1960, after he returned from service in the US Navy. They moved to Pocatello, and then to Logan, Utah, while Lew finished college. During their time in Logan she worked as a secretary for the US Farm Home Administration. After moving to Burley in 1965, when Lew was hired by the BLM, Ellen became a homemaker and “stay-at-home mom” while her kids grew and went to school.

In Burley, she was a mom first, and the seamstress of the town second. She sewed for numerous people in the Burley and Rupert area, and did alterations for a number of stores in Burley including the Mayfair and Roper’s. She continued to do wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses and all kinds of sewing up until the last ten years when her dexterity and eyesight gave out.

The family moved to a farm north of Declo in 1972, so Lew could be a farmer rather than working for the government. He then decided he liked his 9-5 job much better than he liked the farm job of 5-9 and in 1979, they moved into the town of Declo and Lew went to work for the Forest Service. Ellen resided at their home in Declo until last June, when she moved to Autumn Haven Assisted Living in Rupert. Lew passed away in 2009.

When they moved into Declo, Ellen took a job with the Declo Schools and became the “lunch lady” in the cafeteria for the K-12 lunchroom. She worked in the lunchroom for almost 20 years, and was very proud of the fact that she almost always knew every kid’s name in all the grades of the school each year. She watched a lot of the kids go from first grade all the way through senior year at the school. She learned how to bake bread and many other treats working for the school district, but her cinnamon rolls were the best in the area. She was also famous in the family for her mother’s recipe for apple pie (the old country way of making it) and for everyone’s favorite “almond duck” usually made with Lew’s ducks that he shot. This always seemed to be the most requested dish for Christmas Dinner each year for the entire family.

Ellen is survived by her children, Richard (Ric) Martindale of Boise, Michelle (Shelly) Johnson and son-in-law, Dennis, of Heyburn, and Mike Martindale and daughter-in-law, Lori, of Paul. She is also survived by grandchildren, Dylan Martindale, Hunter Martindale and wife, MaKaye, Brogan Martindale and wife, Macey, Kelton Martindale, and Madison Johnson; and great-grandchildren, Rev, River, and Brixton. She is also survived by her older sister, Dorothy Carson, of Buhl; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Manuel and Marian Ineas; her husband, Lew; and her sisters, Florence Nunes (Edward), Clarinda Barney (Dean), Lucille Ineas, Marie Meyer (Camden), Lillie Warburton (Dick), Patricia Gabica (Hank), and Naomi Ineas; and brother-in-law, Bob Carson.

The family would like to express their most sincere thanks to the owners and staff of Autumn Haven Assisted Living in Rupert for their kind and loving care of mom during this past year, and to the nurses and staff of Visions Hospice in her final days at the facility. She truly appreciated everything that was done for her to make her life pleasant and comfortable after moving from her home in Declo.

The funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, at St. Therese the Little Flower Catholic Church, located at 1601 Oakley Ave. in Burley, with Father Roger LaChance of Boise presiding. The interment will be at Paul Cemetery in Paul, Idaho, after the Mass with lunch to follow. Mom would want you to come to the service, burial and lunch in casual and comfortable dress.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.

A live webcast of the Funeral Mass will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/qqTIBPVYwR8.

Condolences for Ellen Ineas Martindale

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From L D Sager:

Sincere condolences to the Martindale family. I will always remember Ellen as the Declo lunch lady. Sorry for your loss.

From Jana Darrington:

So sorry for your loss. We send our sincere condolences. She was a hard worker and great with the kids at school. Good memories of your mom.

From Alyce Pauley (Fromm):

So sorry to hear of Ellen's death. We've been out of touch for many years but we were so close in high school. We lived close and would walk home together after work, Ellen at the drug store and me at the cafe. We would stand under the street light at the bottom of the hill and talk and talk. Freezing cold! She was a special person.

From Kathryn Hall:

Ellen was my neighbor and good friend when they lived on Miller in Burley. I thought of her often after they moved to Declo. My condolences go to the children.

From Dan and Beneta Hellewell:

Mike, Shelly, and Rick. Sending our love, thoughts and prayers of comfort and peace to you and your families. Your Mom was an amazing lady who raised an amazing family!

From Lesa Fox:

Such a wonderfully kind woman. I always enjoyed seeing her around town as she was out for a walk or at the post office. Sending love to you all.

From Smoky and Alice Webb:

HOW MY HEART WEEPS! Ellen was my best friend through our Middle and High School years. Lew and Ellen and Smoky and I were close friends for over 75 years. We kept in touch after Lew passed for many years until my cards were returned and phone calls denied. Did not know she was in assisted living. Rick, Shelley, and Mike, we are so sorry for your loss. Your mom was so proud of you and talked about you when we visited. Rest assured, she is in a wonderful place. We love all and wish you well.

From Melanie Clark:

Ellen was a kind and thoughtful neighbor. She would always wave or say hello. Thoughts and prayers to her family. I miss the smell of Lou’s pipe when he was in the back yard.

From Barbara Andersen:

So very sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a great neighbor always out getting her exercise with a beautiful smile on her face.

From Colleen Wilson:

Ric, Mike, Shelley I am so sorry for your loss. Ellen was a very good, caring friend. She was Godmother to my youngest son Sean. Her sewing skills were exceeded by none.

From Carma Bryan Koyle:

So sorry for your loss Mike and Shelly. Sending hugs and prayers.

From Roger Graham:

Sorry for your loss Mike and Lori and family.

From Lisa:

Another great one has been called home, couldn’t ask for a better lady. Peace to the family.

From Pam & Dwayne Free:

So sorry to hear of Ellen’s passing. I worked with Ellen at the school district, she was a sweet lady and a wonderful homemaker and cook. My deepest condolences to Shelly and Mike and your whole family. She will be missed.

From Judy Zollinger:

Oh she was such a kind, sweet lunch lady! All of our children loved her and felt special because she called them by name. And her cinnamon rolls were famous and so delicious!. What a wonderful example she was to all who knew her.

From Rachel Hughen:

Ellen was always kind & my first friend when I started working for the Declo lunch program. Her name is with mine in the cement behind the Declo lunch room. She will be missed by many.

From Lottie Hurst:

Sending love and prayers of comfort to the family. She was such a sweet friend and always a cheery hello.

From RaNelle & Ron:

So sorry for your loss. Ellen was a wonderful friend & neighbor to us for 44 years. We always see her in our minds when we glance across the road. May you find peace knowing she is with Louie once again. Our deepest condolences.

From Janna Rose:

Sorry to hear this. Ellen and I worked together for many years. She was a talented lady and was always on the move. Love her and her family. Prayers to all.

From Sharon Hatch:

Sending love and hugs to Mike, Shelley and your families. Ellen was a very sweet and special friend. She alway had a smile on her face and a kind word to say. I hope the beautiful memories she has left you with will keep her alive in your hearts.

From Kelli Riding Willett:

So very sorry for your loss Mike.

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