Leola Ball Wood

After 86 years of a life well lived, Leola Wood passed away peacefully on February 14, 2019, to join her sweetheart in heaven.

Leola was born July 25, 1932 to Wallace and Della Ball in Lewisville, Idaho. She attended school in Lewisville and graduated from Rigby High School in 1950. She loved playing all kinds of sports and her favorites were golf, volleyball and softball. She was a member of the Rocketts , a women's fast pitch softball team that was formed in 1946. They had to play men's teams since there were few women softball teams around and they won many of those games against the men. They won two state tournaments in 1947 and 1951.

She married Merlin Wood on August 15, 1951 in the Idaho Falls Temple. After a few different moves, they ended up in Pocatello. She was blessed with six children that she adored and loved. She would do anything for them and was always supporting them in everything they did. She loved her children and enjoyed being a homemaker and taking care of them. Once they were older, she worked at the Central Kitchen for the school lunch program.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in many church callings throughout her life some of which are Relief Society presidencies, Primary, and Young Womens. She also served a mission with her husband in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was hard to be away from her family but she loved the experiences she had on her mission. For many years, every Tuesday, she and her husband drove up to Idaho Falls early in the morning to work in the temple. After serving, they would continue on to Island Park where they would spend the rest of the week at their cabin. They enjoyed their cabin for twenty years and created many memories for the family. The happiest times for her were when she was with all her family and cooking for them.

Leola was preceded in death by her husband Merlin Wood, her parents, one brother and a Grandson-in-law. She is survived by her children Susan (Jim) Gramkow, Nampa, ID; Peggy (Alan) Dunkley, Pocatello, ID; Jolyn (Mark) Renberg, Gilbert, AZ; Brent Wood, Hailey, ID; Natalie (Bob) Denkers, Idaho Falls, ID; Bradley Wood, Boise, ID and one brother Bruce Ball. She has 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren with 1 great great grandchild on the way.

The family wishes to thank Elegant Assisted Living and Access Hospice for their care and support.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 11:00 at the LDS West Stake Center, 3444 Hawthorne Rd, Pocatello, ID. Family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday morning from 10:00 to 10:45 at the church. There will also be a viewing Tuesday, February 19, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Rd, Chubbuck, ID. Her interment will follow the services at Mountain View Cemetery.


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