Ilene Mckenna Lapray

Ilene McKenna Lapray of Twin Falls died Thursday at St. Luke’s Hospital in Twin Falls of natural causes. She was born October 2, 1932 in Rexburg, Idaho and moved to Twin Falls in the early 1940’s. She married John Albert Lapray on her 17th birthday, October 2, 1949. Ilene was an avid craftswoman, skilled in needlepoint, knitting, crochet and beadwork. She had a fondness for classic movies and Elvis Presley. She could always be seen adorned with jewelry of her own making. She was a homemaker, raising a small, close family. She was a member of the LDS church. She was an active member TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) where she met many of her great friends. Ilene suffered fainting spells so she never drove a car and could not work most of her life. She worked at Ore-Ida in Burley, Idaho for a short time before illness kept her away. Ilene lived for 60 years at her home on 8th Avenue East in Twin Falls, Idaho, along with her beloved husband John Albert, who preceded her in death, December 23, 1986. She is also preceded in death by her parents, eight siblings and her daughter, Cecilia Marie Lapray. She had more stories and tidbits of information than she could share in a lifetime. She kept the family history in her head, could recall every name, date and source of intrigue. She often referred back to Johnny, her late husband, and longed to join him again someday. He truly was the love of her beautiful life. Her family can recount a thousand tales, of cut fingers mended and her delightful laughter, of final embraces and stories from The Depression, when her generation stood tall through the dust. She kept everything because she had so little on hand. But in heart she was wealthy beyond compare. Anyone who stopped by the Lapray residence will remember the heaps of knickknacks, gadgets and purchasing exchange items she kept around. She lived with her sister, Vella Selders, in her latter years and spent her final years at Sun Bridge Care Center. Ilene loved puzzles and board games (she dominated at Monopoly) and adored Bingo (often playing 6-8 cards at a time). Ilene is survived by her son, David John Lapray and his wife Sandy; four grandchildren, Mike H. Lapray and his wife Joy, Clyde A. Hansen, Misty B. Lapray and Dustin J. Lapray and two great-grandchildren, Amber R-M. Lapray and Sara J. Lapray. Ilene wore her hair long and though it grayed, it still retained hints of its original color. She bore an emotional toughness balanced by a sincerity of expression. She let you know what she was thinking. Although Ilene has left this world, her family can never fully release her. She will be remembered by generations to come who never saw her smile, never held her hand on hard days and never got reprimanded for the hard-headedness common in the Lapray line. They will know about her, because this family will remember her stories, repeat them into the distant future. Funeral services for Ilene will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday April 5, 2010 at Rosenau Funeral Home, 2826 Addison Ave. E. in Twin Falls with Pastor Jim O’Donnell officiating. Burial will follow the services at Sunset Memorial Park.