Eloise M Povey

Eloise Mendenhall Povey, 90, of American Falls, passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, January 7, 2018, in her home surrounded by family.    

Grandma was born September 17, 1927 to Willis and Natolie Mendenhall in Clifton, Idaho. She graduated from high school in 1945 and fell in love and married the dashingly handsome and charming Grant Povey on May 15, 1948.    

Grant and Eloise settled in American Falls, Idaho, with their three children, Max (deceased), Wade (Susan), and Sally Hess (Bill). Grant owned Povey’s Auto Body and Glass and Eloise managed the accounts at Northwest Ice for 21 years before retiring to become an entrepreneur. Along with her daughter, Sally, Eloise opened a children’s clothing store in American Falls called Sunshine Kids. If you lived in American Falls in the late 1980s or 90s, you knew this was the hot location to shop for children’s gifts and the latest trendy outfits.    

Grandma was a renowned cook, expert seamstress, and gifted pianist and organist. She enjoyed creating intricate artwork through crochet, cross-stitch and ceramics. She loved the color blue, rooting for the Utah Jazz, and a refreshing Pepsi and ice cream on the back patio. She also had a knack for mind games. Despite her family’s best efforts, there was not a puzzle she could not solve.   

Eloise was blessed with eight stellar grandchildren, Todd, Andy, Richelle Coats (Ryan), Aaron (Kali), Karla Hillier (Barrett), Erica Fredrickson (Terry), Kimi Taylor (Scott), and Casidy Robison (Brinton). These grandkids, especially the last one, were the reason behind her transition from brilliant red hair to pure white in her later years.    

She also had 23 great-grandchildren. Elizabeth, Isabeau (deceased), Saige, Trevor, Chance, Mykelle, Tyler, Maryn, Troy, Lincoln, Sari, Austin, Kyle, Logan, Jared, Jaxon, Kamri, Whitney, Mason, Shaylee, Gabe, Akacia, and Layne.   

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served diligently in numerous callings over her lifetime, but she will always be remembered for her talents as a pianist, organist, librarian, and creating the bulletin for many years.    

Grandma is survived by her siblings, Burn Mendenhall, OraLee Kerr, and Arlo (Joyce) Mendenhall.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, sisters Lorraine and Coy, brothers Jay, Cyle, Vance and Neil, and one great-grandchild Isabeau.    

Grandma will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She was the quintessential doting grandmother and had a fiery streak that kept you on your toes and made you love her even more.    

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 12, 2017 at the LDS Church on Pocatello Avenue in American Falls, Idaho. Family and friends are invited to gather at 9:30 a.m. and a memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will be conducted at the cemetery in Clifton, Idaho at 3:30 p.m.  

The family would especially like to thank Susan Barrett, Kimberly Taylor and Janneece Reynolds for their help caring for Grandma the past few weeks.