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IONE WILLSON
February 12, 1924 ˜ February 23, 2021
Ione Willson was born in Gascoyne, ND Feb. 12, 1924, to Theodore and Mary Henstrand, the youngest of seven children. She passed peacefully in Vancouver, WA, on Feb. 23, 2021.
She grew up in Hettinger, ND, where she attended high school, having been senior class president and a cheerleader. She moved to Vancouver at 18 to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Harry Erstad. While attending nursing school, she met Vern, and had to make the decision to either continue school or marry. She chose to marry the love of her life and was married for 34 years before Vern passed in 1978.
She worked at Vancouver Memorial Hospital for more than 20 years as a surgical secretary, retiring in 1989.
She enjoyed a variety of music including barbershop, big bands, and most importantly the hymns of her Lutheran faith. She initially was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and later moved to Messiah Lutheran, where she was a charter member. She was most recently a member of St. Paul Lutheran.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harris “Vern” Willson; sisters, Ruth and Margaret; and brothers, Arnold, Lester, Marlin, and Verle.
She is survived by her children, Harris “Bud” (Debbie) Willson of Vancouver, and Kristi Mowe of Portland, OR; six grandchildren, Nichole (Devin) Taylor, Dawn (Joshua) Marick, Katie Redmond, all of Vancouver, Sam (Liz) Mowe, Jackson Mowe, both of Portland, and Hadley Mowe of Anchorage, AK; seven great-grandchildren, Ethan and Aidan Taylor, Willson and Henry Marick, Charlotte Redmond, and Lila and Ruth Mowe; sister-in-law, Marion Henstrand; nephews, Richard Erstad, John Henstrand; and nieces, Diane Smith and Ann Henstrand.
Our deepest love and gratitude to Vitalie and Corina Costin of Diamond Ages, Adult Family Living, where she spent her final years.
Memorial services will be held at a future date when it is safe to gather. Please email, [email protected] or [email protected] for details.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1309 Franklin St, Vancouver, WA, 98660.
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