Emma Minardi, 97

Emma Eva Leydet Minardi, 97, formerly of Mountain Home, died Dec. 27, 2005, in a nursing care center in Mesquite, Nev.

Graveside Services are pending in Rupert, Idaho.

Emma Leydet was born in Reno, Nev., Sept. 28, 1908, to Joseph and Marie Marenthier Leydet, French immigrants from the Gap area of France. Her father was involved in the sheep business with the family living in Reno, Baker City, Paul and Mountain Home.

Emma married John Minardi in 1934 in Pocatello. They had two children, Loel and Judy. Emma and John lived in Pocatello 42-years. Emma and John later moved to Salt Lake City and Wendover, Nev.

Emma was active in church activities at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. She was Altar Society President and past treasurer of the Idaho Catholic Woman's Association. Emma was also president of the Union Pacific Auxiliary Old Timers.

"Emma was a wonderful French cook," her family said. "She was the caregiver in the family, helping to raise her niece, Joanne Leydet Johnson, her sisters. Nellie and Adele, brother Henry Leydet and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"Emma loved to travel. She enjoyed seeing Europe, traveling in the United States and taking cruises with her sisters."

Emma is survived by: her daughter, Judy Bell and her husband, Lee Bell, of Mesquite, Nev., three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and sister-in-law Jean Leydet.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, a son, Loel, a brother, Henry Leydet, and sisters Adele Raymond and Nellie Schultz.