Melanie Jayne Ledbetter

Melanie Jayne (Meeter) Ledbetter went peacefully to be with the Lord on July 13th, 2022. Her passing was wholly unexpected, leaving a wake of devastation.

 

Melanie leaves behind her husband of thirty years, Mark Ledbetter and their two children: Jack Ledbetter and Marquesa (Ledbetter) Tulleners along with son-in-law Nathan Tulleners and grandchild Matthew Tulleners. Surviving her also are all of her siblings: Marcia Arthur, Marlys Silva, Lee Meeter and Michael Meeter as well as her mother Ruby (Bultje) Meeter and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

She is preceded in death by her father Larry Meeter. Both on her mother and father's side they were hardworking farm folk of Dutch descent. The hardworking trait was strong in Melanie who tackled every aspect of life with preparation and 100% effort. 

 

Melanie was born in South Dakota on December 30th, 1961. Her family moved around before settling on a small homestead on the Rimrock in Hayden, Idaho. Melanie graduated early from Lakeland High School in 1980. She worked a variety of jobs during and after high school including Little Bear in Hayden and Pay n' Save in Coeur d'Alene.  She recieved her associates degree with intentions to be either a teacher or a social worker. Melanie worked for a number of years at Rosauers while living in Libby, Montana before transferring to the Spokane location and moving to Post Falls.

 

Melanie was introduced by her brother Lee to her husband Mark in 1990 and they were married in 1992. They welcomed their first child in 1993, after which, Melanie dedicated all of her time to being a mother and homemaker. She home-schooled both of her children for 13 years, fulfilling her dream of teaching. To say her family was everything to her would be an understatement- she lived her life for her family.

 

Constantly caring for her family, she was always ready to listen or to offer help in any way she could. She raised both of her children with loving dedication and told them both regularly: "be extraordinary, not ordinary." A hard-worker, she helped build Ledbetter Excavation - her husband's business and could regularly be found going after parts or going for fuel, and she was a big part of building the business to success. No task was too big or small, she was ready to help however she could.

 

Whenever Melanie met a stranger in need she set about helping them and she firmly believed that God put her in the paths of others to help them. She was quick to lend strength and encouragement wherever it was needed. She often had strangers pour their hearts out to her and she genuinely cared for those that she met.

 

Melanie volunteered for over 15 years at Hospice Thrift Store after Hospice assisted in the care of her sister-in-law Mary (Ledbetter) Taylor. Before that, Melanie volunteered at the Real Life Ministries Thrift Store for three years. At both stores she was well loved and had a network of people she cared about greatly.

 

People were drawn to her and her contagious smile. 

 

Melanie was a wonderful cook and baker, her meals and desserts were well loved, in particular her apple pies and chicken pot pies.

 

Melanie had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh and have fun with her family. 

 

Melanie was a devout Christian who loved the Lord all of her life. She set about to live her life as an example of Christ's kindness and regularly encouraged her children in the same direction. Melanie read her Bible daily and was quick to send a prayer for anyone enduring life's difficulties. 

 

Most recently, she was enjoying being a full time grandma to her first and long awaited grand baby Mattie who she was amongst the first to meet when he arrived into the world. There was never a more loving and dedicated grandmother, although she only had the first few months of his life with him before her death.

 

Melanie's heart was full of love for her family and caring for others was where she shined brightest in life. To know Melanie was to have sunshine in your life- someone you could always turn to.

 

Heaven has gained a truly beautiful soul.