Grant Ruel Ipsen, age 83, passed away in his home on Sunday, June 5, 2016. A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, June 10, 2016, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Meridian Idaho South Stake LDS Chapel, 6575 S. Eagle Rd., Meridian, Idaho. The funeral will be held on Saturday, June 11 at 10:00 a.m. at the same location, and the burial will follow at the Cloverdale Cemetery.
Grant was born in Pleasantview, Idaho on November 6, 1932 to Nephi Ruel and Ada (Hughes) Ipsen.
Grant spent his youth working on the family farm, enjoyed hunting and was active in athletics and music. He was a devoted church and community servant. An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Grand served as a missionary in Denmark and later as Bishop of the Boise 10th Ward, Mission President (Denmark), Stake President of the Boise Idaho South Stake, Regional Representative, Temple Sealer, and Patriarch.

Grant served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958 and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1961 with a degree in Accounting. He spent the majority of his career working for Mutual of New York and was the recipient of its Man of the Year award.

A member of the Idaho State Senate for five terms, Grant served as Senate Health and Welfare Committee Chairman and on the Local Government and Taxation Committee. He was a passionate advocate for children and received the Angels in Adoption Award in 2001, among numerous other awards for his service in the legislature and community. He was a strong supporter of scouting, recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, and a member of the Ore-Ida Boy Scout Council. He married Edna “Eddie” Hughes on July 27, 1956 in the Idaho Falls Temple and was extremely loving and proud of his children.

Grant is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eddie; his sisters, Carol and Florence; daughter, Gaye Ipsen of Meridian, Idaho; son, Gariri (Milana) Ipsen, of Stillwater, Minnesota; daughter Shawna (Chris) Ingram, of Boise, Idaho; son, Wayne (Katie) Ipsen, of Boise, Idaho; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews Grant is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, LeAnn; sisters, Leora and Iris and his brother, Foster.

Grant was blessed to associate with many people he loved. He became closer still as he served and counseled with them. He had such a wonderful sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye. He was passionate, loyal, gentle, kind, and filled with integrity – a rare man who could be trusted. His wife and family knew that they were deeply loved by him. He loved nature and treasured the wilderness and mountains in our beautiful state of Idaho. Most especially, he loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ and gave his all to share and bless the lives of others.

The Ipsen family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the attentive doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s Hospice staff, Tammy Walmer of CARE, and the countless family and friends who offered love and support at every turn.