Joan Ireland

Joan Jennings Ireland, 76, of Rigby, passed away Monday, October 8, 2012, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. She was born August 17, 1936 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Grace Simpson Jennings and Edwin Leland Jennings, the third of seven children. She and her family moved to the Clark area from New Sweeden when she was 9 years old. She was raised on the family farm and attended schools in the Clark area and graduated from Rigby High School, and continued her education at Ricks College. In 1953 she met the love of her life and eternal companion, Bill Ireland. After dating for 4 years they were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on February 1, 1957, and have been happily married for over 55 years. They are the proud parents of 3 fine boys and 2 beautiful daughters Steven, Michael, Lynda, Kathy and James and have 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Joan received her PHT (Putting Hubby Thru degree) from Utah State in 1960; upon Bill’s graduation with a degree in Forestry. Bill and Joan spent 2 years in Olympia and Ft. Lewis, Washington with Uncle Sam’s Army. Following his discharge, Bill was employed with the BLM, spending 10 years in 3 different areas in Nevada, 2 years in Alaska and finally spending 20 years in the Boise/Meridian area retiring in 1994. Joan was a great support to Bill and her family, always willing to go wherever his career took him. In 2006 they returned home to the Rigby area. Joan was very active in the LDS Church all of her life, serving in the Primary, Sunday School and several MIA and Relief Society Presidencies. She was very compassionate all of her life, constantly reaching out to help and serve others; she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, cooking and reading. She is survived by her husband Bill Ireland, of Rigby, daughters, Lynda (Frank) Mellor, of Elma Washington, Kathy (James) Nasmen, of Lexington, Maryland, sons, Steven Ireland, of SLC, Utah, Michael (Jo) Ireland, of Phoenix, Arizona, James (Debbie) Ireland, of Polacca Arizona, sisters, Dorothy (Mate) Layton, of Rigby, Idaho, Karen (Max) Smith, Virginia (Gene) Jenson, both of Idaho Falls, brother David (Ila) Jennings, of Rigby, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Marilynn Jennings Bundy, and a brother Leland Carl Jennings. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 12, 2012, at the Garfield 1st Ward LDS Chapel, with Bishop Marlow Blanchard conducting. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby, and from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer cemetery. Services are under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.