Margaret Ann Miller Ethington, 71, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, July 28, 2019, surrounded by her family in Homedale, Idaho. Margaret was born to Ralph and Thelma Miller on September 12, 1947 in Nampa, Idaho. She grew up in Nampa and was the oldest of four children. She went to Vallivue High School and was a part of the first graduating class of the new school. She went to Rick's College and then met the love of her life, Allen Ethington at a young adult dance. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Oakland California Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 2, 1967. Mom always said that she would never marry anyone that was from Homedale, a farmer, or a returned missionary and she fell for a man that was all three! They started their marriage in Orem, Utah where she worked for Mountain Bell as a telephone operator. They moved back to Idaho a few years later to work and to be closer to family. Allen and his brothers started a dairy farm operation and Margaret was in charge of feeding the baby calves where she gained a love for them and for all cows in general. When they stopped dairy farming, she worked at West Valley Medical Center, the Wilder Clinic, and finally at Caldwell Urology, where she eventually retired. Margaret made lifelong friends wherever she went and was very friendly, kind, generous and caring. She liked to tease people and had a way of putting everyone at ease around her. Her life revolved around her family and she was always very concerned about their welfare. She was very service-oriented and served in many callings in the church where she taught children, youth and adults. Margaret loved collecting cow decorations, sewing, quilting, ceramics, doing crafts, the color red, traveling, and taking pictures of animals, landscapes and her family. She was a very accomplished pianist and organist and loved to play duets, solos and accompany for musical numbers. Allen and Margaret were happily married for 43 years and had three girls: Gina, Dawn and Amanda (Mandy). She was always so proud of her girls and whenever anyone would ask her if she ever wanted to have any boys she would always tell them that she wouldn't trade any one of her girls for a boy! She was especially proud of her grandchildren and had a special love for all of them. She always tried to be there to support them in whatever they did. Allen and Margaret taught their girls how to work hard and encouraged them to develop their talents. They gave their family lots of love and support. Their legacy will be the good qualities they instilled in their kids and grandkids and having us carry on in their stead. We will miss you dearly, Mom! Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Allen Ethington; parents Ralph and Thelma Miller; sister Patricia Henry; and brother Richard Miller. She is survived by her children: Gina (Jeff) Casper of Lincoln, California, Dawn (Kent) Murphy of Kimberly, Idaho and Amanda (Joel) Bottom of Homedale, Idaho. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, and sister Diane (Darwin) Brown. Funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Zeyer Funeral Chapel in Nampa, Idaho. The family would like to thank all the caregivers, doctors, and friends for all the kindness and compassion that they gave to Margaret throughout her brave battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, August 3, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 708 W. Idaho Ave. in Homedale. A viewing will be held at The Church from 6 to 8 PM, Friday, August 2 and again at The Church from 10 to 10:45 AM prior to the services.
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