Obituary of Alena Raye Rhoades

Alena Raye Rhoades Alena Raye Rhoades, 44, of Plummer, Idaho, passed away November 12, 2010 at home in Plummer. She was born Nov. 9, 1966, at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Roberta (Bobbi) Alena Doupé and Delbert Ray Rhoades. They lived in Coeur d' Alene until 1967, when Alena and her mother moved to the family ranch in King Valley near the DeSmet Mission to live with her grandparents, Bob and Wilma Doupé. Alena attended school in Tekoa from 1973 until 1982, then received her GED. She was married May 21, 1995, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Dennis Adair. They divorced in 2001, and in February 2003 she married Michael Melvin in Seattle, Wash. She was widowed on June 10, 2005. She attended SFCC, and beauty schools in Coeur d' Alene and Seattle. Alena graduated from Autarashi School of Cosmetology in Seattle, after which she worked as a beautician in Seattle and Coeur d' Alene, then opened her own salon, The Worley Curley, in Worley, Idaho, in 1990. Her love of travel and wanderlust led her several times to New Orleans, also Florida, Athens, GA, and Nashville, Tn., where she worked in the service industry as a chef, waitress, and mixologist. Recently she had moved back home to the Coeur d' Alene Reservation, where she was assisting her mother in the operation of "Bobbi's Bar" in Plummer, Idaho. Alena loved animals, fashion design, cooking, traveling, writing, and entertainment arts of all kinds, especially music. Alena was baptized at the Sacred Heart Church in Tekoa and also attended the United Church of Tekoa. While in Tekoa, she was active in sports, Girl Scouts, and Drama Club. She had a great sense of humor, unforgettable laugh and a contagious smile and uplifting personality. Alena is survived by her mother Roberta (Bobbi) Alena Doupé, and stepfather Wesley (Dick) Gilbert, of Plummer, Idaho; father Delbert Ray Rhoades and stepmother Wendie Rhoades, Nevada; stepfather Gary Boatsman of Spokane, Wash.; grandmother Lucille Rhoades, Post Falls, Idaho; Robert Boatsman of Spokane, Wash., and sisters Rosina Jose Carpenter of Plummer, Idaho, Mariya Rhoades and Nikki Peratta, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; nieces Trinity Lewis and Erin Christine Carpenter, nephew Lathan Rhoades; cousins Julie Doupe Schwanz, Joel and Kenneth Doupe, Brian and Stacy Merriman, Darric McFarland, numerous other cousins; and her loyal canine companion of ten years, Maximus "MAX." Alena was preceded in death by husband, Michael Melvin who died , June 10, 2005, uncle Terry Doupé deceased Nov 22, 2009, aunt Lois McFarland, her maternal grandparents, Robert Doupé, Wilma Doupé Peters, step-grandparents Gene and Jeanette Boatsman, step-grandfather Johnny Peters, and paternal grandfather Lloyd Rhoades. Alena's Memorial Celebration of Life is Saturday Nov. 20, 2010, at the Longhouse located at the DeSmet Mission, DeSmet, Idaho. Father Thomas Connolly will officiate at the memorial service, which starts 3:00 p.m. A meal will follow. Funeral Mass will be at Gonzaga, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Jesuit House Chapel behind St. Aloysius. Alena's ashes will be interred Terra Haute, Ill. Hodge Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For more information visit www.hodgefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers the family suggest donation be made to the Alena Raye Rhoades Foundation Fund at Sterling Saving Bank in Plummer, Idaho. Read Alena Rhoades's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.