Marlene Ledvina

It is with deepest sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved Grandma, Marlene Kay Ledvina, on April 14, 2025, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. She was surrounded by her family.

Marlene was born April 2, 1942, to Aaron "Merl" John and Velma Brown John in Idaho Falls, Idaho at the LDS Hospital. She was the only child and grew up living all around the northwest as her father traveled for work as a framer. Grandma told the story of catching turtles with a friend in Moses Lake, Washington. They also lived in California, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana to name a few.

The family eventually settled in Grant, Idaho and Grandma attended Rigby High School. She met her future husband and soulmate, Edward (Grandpa) Ledvina, on a blind date. They were married June 17, 1960 ,at Marlene's parent’s home in Grant. Ed and Marlene were inseparable and were married for almost 65 years.

To their union they welcomed three children, Bill in 1961, Paul in 1964, and Lorrie in 1967. Ed, Marlene, and family lived in Roberts, Idaho. Grandma and Grandpa spent most all their lives on their farm just west of Roberts. Marlene worked driving truck in the potato fields, at Adaire Dress Shop in Idaho Falls, and part-time at Kmart. She made a career working as the secretary at Roberts Middle School for 20+ years before her health forced her to retire in 1986.

Grandma loved to cook and can. She and Grandpa grew a beautiful garden every year and spent countless hours canning their home grown food. She canned fruits, vegetables, pickles, jams, jellies--just about everything. Every night Grandma made a fresh milkshake with the strawberries or raspberries Grandpa picked from the garden. Marlene enjoyed crocheting afghans and painting ceramics. She had a love of houseplants, and every room and window was filled with her plants. Later in life, Grandma adopted a love for Diamond Art. As you can imagine, Ed took "great delight" in picking up the "bugs", as he calls them, when Grandma accidentally spilled them on the floor.

Grandma had her share of shenanigans on the farm. One day, Marlene had some old grape juice that she fed to the pigs and inadvertently made them drunk. The sheep bucks always had a way with Grandma. One rammed her in the behind while she was collecting a freshly born lamb and drove her head into a fence post. Another, named Chilly Willy, broke her leg. Grandpa shared the story of Grandma driving a truck and stopping before she should have, bending the boom on the digger. This started an intense discussion between Ed and Marlene, which ended with Grandma throwing potatoes at him and getting fired. Another time, Ed was having trouble with the grain combine, and he asked Marlene to drive it slowly so he could see what was wrong. Grandpa started at a walk and quickly progressed to a dead run, all the while yelling for her to "pull it back!" In the end, they would up with a terribly plugged combine.

Marlene was "Grandma" to everybody--family, friends, and acquaintances. Even Grandpa called her Grandma, and the role fit her well. If ever there was a problem, Grandpa would say "go tell Grandma" and she would have the cure or solution. She loved indiscriminately and with her whole heart. All of her grandkids have fond memories of helping Grandpa herd sheep in the morning, and going inside for a freshly cooked breakfast made with love by Grandma.

In 2009, Ed and Marlene moved to Idaho Falls to be closer to family and doctors. Grandma had a life long struggle with health problems that started with a brain tumor in 1986. She had it surgically removed, but it came back a year later and she underwent another surgery. The tumor returned for a final time in the late 90s and she went to Seattle for Gamma Knife radiation. For the last 15 years Grandma suffered with kidney disease and required dialysis treatments. She did them at home for a while, but the bulk of the time was spent going to Idaho Kidney Center three days a week.

Marlene is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Ed Ledvina; children, Bill (Raela) Ledvina of Roberts, Idaho, Paul (Bobbie) Ledvina of Montrose, Co, and Lorrie (Todd) Mendel of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Marlene is preceded in death by her parents, Merl and Velma John. The family would be remiss not to thank Idaho Kidney Center for their care and love of Grandma for all of these years. We would also like to thank all of the many doctors and nurses that made a difference throughout her life. A special recognition and thanks is due to Grandpa for his exceptional attention and care he gave to Grandma for many years, and to their grandson, Chris Mendel, for his years of care and devotion to both of them.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave. The family will visit with friends Monday from 6:30-8 p.m. and Tuesday 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services, both at Wood. Burial will be in Ammon Cemetery.