Lela Evelyn Dougal

August 12, 1933 – January 27, 2026

Lela Evelyn Dougal (nee Diehl), 92, Boise, passed away peacefully January 27, 2026, in Meridian, with a daughter at her bedside.

Lela was born August 12, 1933, in Baltimore, Maryland to Paul Florenz and Lucille (nee Mills) Diehl. Her family moved to Philadelphia where she met her future husband, Merrill J. Dougal, who was in the U.S. Navy. Her family then moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Merrill moved after he was honorably discharged. They were married in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple on July 22, 1952. They moved to Provo, Utah where their first son was born, then moved to San Diego, California, where their 4 other children were born. Merrill’s job took them to Louisville, Kentucky; Spokane, Washington, and then to Boise, Idaho in November 1977 where they both remained the rest of their lives. 

One of the joys of her life was working on genealogy and family history work, which she did for almost 60 years. Lela had a great love of music and played the piano and organ at church for many years. She delighted in her grandchildren, great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She also had a great love of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Lela was preceded in death by Merrill in December 2017, after 65 ½ years of marriage, and her eldest son, Rob in January 2024 and many other relatives. She is survived by Daryl Dougal (Deb), Delinda Jones (Marvin), Renae Dougal, Duane Dougal (Jodi), and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home. Her funeral will be held Thursday February 5, 2026, at 10:30 am at the LDS Chapel at 12040 W. Amity Road, Boise, Idaho. Interment will take place at 1:00 pm at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Rd., Boise, Idaho, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Merrill.