Ione Johnson Simpson

Ione Johnson Simpson passed away peacefully on November 25, 2016 at the age of 100 years and 2 months.  We celebrate with her a joyous reunion with her beloved husband Delmer Edward Simpson who died 47 years ago and young son Dougie.

Ione was born on September 25, 1916 in Vernal, Utah, daughter of Andrew Theodore and Mae Timothy Johnson.  In 1937 Ione Johnson was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northwest States Mission.  She met Delmer Edward Simpson and married him in the Salt Lake Temple March 13, 1941.  They lived on N Street and had 5 children when they moved to Idaho Falls for a new job opportunity. Debbie was the only child born in Idaho Falls.  Chris Anderson Randall and Cissie Cook joined the family for several years.    

July 12, 1969, when Delmer unexpectedly passed away, Ione’s life changed forever.  Debbie was the only child at home and she would soon be leaving for college.  After a year mom decided to go back to school.  Ione moved to Utah and went to school receiving a Bachelors Degree at Brigham Young University and a Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Utah. She worked for 10 years as social worker for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in their unwed mother program and then baby adoption program.  One of those years was in Washington DC working for the National Committee for Adoption; she then returned to Utah and was called to the General Board of the Relief Society for four years under President Barbara Winder.

Mom and Dad were loving, righteous parents and we were blessed to have such an amazing childhood.  One of mom’s sayings that we all heard over and over was from Shakespeare , “To thy own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.”  They taught us correct principles through word and example.  They loved each other, their family, and the Lord.

Ione is preceded by: Delmer E. Simpson, her loving husband; Dougie Simpson, young son; Jacob Simpson, young grandson; Theora Whetten, Evelyn Hacking, Wanda Wasden, and Vera Van Leuven, sisters; Duayne, Ellsworth, and Norman Johnson,  brothers.  She is survived by 5 children and their spouses; DJ and Joan Simpson, Brent and Janice Simpson, Kathlyn and Dan Hall, Susan and Robert Nelson, Debra and Dave Liddell, 62 grandchildren, 141 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.  She has been known for years as “Grandma Great” because she is our kind, loving, GREAT, wonderful, grandma.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 2, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bountiful East Stake Center, 650 E. 2150 S.  Family and friends may call Friday morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.  Interment-Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 N Street.