Ethel D. Drapeau

Ethel D. Drapeau passed away July 28, 2020, at the Schneidmiller Hospice House in Coeur d’Alene. Ethel was born Aug. 29, 1933, in Danville, Ark., to Reginald and Alice (Mortensen) Meads, the fifth of six children. She lived in a number of places as a child as her father followed construction and carpentry jobs to Colorado, California, and Oregon, before settling in Idaho.

The family lived in St. Maries, Idaho, where she attended school, and in Coeur d’Alene, where she met and married her husband, Orville “Shorty” Drapeau, in 1951. They lived in Kellogg for a short time before moving back to Coeur d’Alene, then to Post Falls, where they raised their five children.

As the family grew, Ethel, the matriarch, through the grace of goodwill and perseverance, made it known that family was a central theme. Many shared moments of holidays, summer visits of relatives and friends, and those who stopped by almost daily knew they were welcome.

Mom was an amazing cook (with all recipes in her head) who put a wonderful, nutritious meal on the table every night and always had enough to feed whoever happened by. We don’t know how she did it, but she always said “if you leave hungry it’s your own fault!” and she meant it.

Mom was always generous, especially with her time, always willing to teach everything she knew. She kept Dad pretty busy over the years, planting the grass, flowers, garden, berries, shrubs and trees, then taking out the shrubs for more berries and then removing most of the berries and planting more flowers — ‘cuz they didn’t need picked! They worked well into their 80s together, canning and making jam and picking the fruit trees and still having time to decorate the yard for all the holidays; and in her spare time, she knitted afghans.

She liked football but loved baseball, never missing a Mariners game. And stats…. Yep she nailed it!

She will be greatly missed as we remember the best of times, missing the moments, but let us continue the priority of the example of family values. She was a Christian, being a long-time member of the Church of Christ in Dalton Gardens. We thank the Lord for the lessons, memories and years we shared with her.

Ethel is survived by children Kelvin (Janie) Drapeau of Yuma, Ariz., Star (Greg) Hart of Post Falls, Kris (Nels) Stemmene of Post Falls, Terry of Post Falls and Patty (Mark) Symons of San Diego; and sister, Wilma Carter of Eugene, Ore. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville (Shorty) Drapeau; granddaughter, April Drapeau; and her brothers, John, Joe, David and Alfred Meads.

There will be a gathering for Ethel from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, at the Hayden Eagles. Ethel will be interred with her husband at the Medical Lake Veterans Cemetery on Sept. 4, 2020.

Please visit Ethel’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com