Ione Elizabeth (Rowe) Stephenson

Ione (Rowe) Stephenson, age 95 died December 9, 2018 in Salt Lake City. She and her twin sister were born at home February 4, 1923 in Durango, Colorado to Maude J. Lewis Rowe and Hugh Rowe. Ione married John D. (Steve) Stephenson, April 4, 1944 in Aztec, NM. They were married for 54 years.

Ione was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Edgar Rowe and Leroy Rowe, sisters Alta Dodson, Beatrice Bodo, and twin sister, Leone Hine. She is survived by her son, John (Charlene), Durango, CO, and her daughter, Karen Lee Platis (Ken Martinez), Salt Lake City, and her grandchildren, Robert Stephenson, Tamie (Mark) Iaquinta, Phoenix, their mother Marcia; Josh (Carolyn) Platis, Seattle, Washington; Lisa, Durango, Lisa’s son Shaun; also Ione’s great grandsons, Brayden and Cale Stephenson and their mother Danell; great granddaughter, Madison Iaquinta. Ione’s sister-in-law, Anne Rowe; her brother-in-law, Russell Stephenson, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Ione met her husband in California where she was working as a telephone operator, during WWII. After a courtship of 2 weeks, they were married 2 weeks later. He was in the Navy and was shipped overseas shortly after they married. After the war they resided for a short time in Georgia and then in Durango, Montrose, and Nucla, Colorado. They moved to Price, Utah in 1961 and Helper, Utah a year later. After her husband retired they moved to Salt Lake City where she resided until her death. She lived with Karen and her husband, Ken for two years because of ill health until moving to Avenues Courtyard Assisted Living. Long time member First Baptist Church.

A celebration of Ione’s life will be held at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City on December 15th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet on the north side of the building. Interment following at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South in Salt Lake City.

Thanks to her many loving caretakers over the past 3 years in Karen’s home, St. Joseph’s Villa, the Avenues Courtyard, and with Good Shepherd Hospice.