Ione Larsen was born January 30, 1921 in Sioux Falls, SD to parents Lyle and Alice (Holmoe) Culp. She died November 24, 2009 at Morningside Care Center in Alcester, SD at the age of 88 years.

Ione graduated from Dell Rapids High School in 1938 and then attended Sioux Falls College and South Dakota State College. In 1941 she married Vere Larsen from Colman, SD. After Veres discharge from the Navy, the couple bought Lee Drug in Alcester and later bought Lewis Drug in Alcester and combined them into Larsen Rexall Drug. Ione worked in the store for many years and took great pride in the toy and gift departments.

Ione was a member of the United Church of Christ in Alcester and had served as the church choir director for many years and was a past president of the Womens Fellowship. She enjoyed golf and was a past member of Westward Ho Country Club in Sioux Falls. She also was a past president of the SD Pharmacy Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, was past Worthy Matron and Grand Marshall of O.E.S., served as Queen of the AshramaTemple in Sioux Falls, and was past president of the Republicans Womens Club. In 1974 Ione ran for the SD Republican Nominee for the US Congress. Ione and Vere enjoyed spending time at their home on Lake Madison and spent winters in Sun City, AZ where she was the past president of the 9 Hole Golf Association and was a member of Quail Run Golf Club. She loved entertaining people in her home and especially cherished time spent with her children and grandchildren. Along with golfing and her numerous organizations she devoted time to, she like to paint and fish.

Ione is survived by her daughter Judy Johnson and husband Bill of Vernal, UT; grandchildren: Jeff Larsen, Spearfish, SD, Julie Oldre, Madison, SD, Shannon (Brian) Hegge, Tea, SD, Abbey Carlson, Sioux Falls, SD, Chris Johnson, Tuscon, AZ, and Lisa (Paul) Flores, Salt Lake City, UT; great grandchildren: Megan and Amanda Larsen, Joshua and Jacob Oldre, Gage Matzen, Jasmine Hegge, Jayden Bultena and Tyler and Trevor Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vere, son Don, and two sisters, Marjorie and Delores.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Siouxland or Morningside Care Center in Alcester.

A memorial service will be held 11:00AM, Monday, November 30 at the United Church of Christ in Alcester with family present one hour prior to services. Inurnment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Alcester.