Iona L. Hepper

Stockton, CA

Iona L. Hepper

Mar. 10, 1918 - Sept. 25, 2008

Iona Lydia Hepper passed on peacefully at her home on September 25, 2008. She was born in

Eureka, South Dakota on March 10, 1918 to Emanuel and Lydia Voll. Iona moved with her family to Stockton as a small child and resided on Vine Street. She grew up and became the youngest female realtor in the area after graduating from Stockton High School. Iona then attended Cal Berkeley School of Arts and Crafts - her love of art was beginning to surface. Shortly after she married her love Kenneth Hepper. They opened M'Lady Beauty Salon in downtown Stockton and were well on their way to becoming the Entrepreneurs they were destined to be.

In the 1950's they bought property and built homes. They finally settled in old Lincoln Village. By then they had their two children Judy and Rod. Iona continued to pursue her love of painting. She did pastel portraits of families and their children and then decided to teach art and spread her love of painting. She approached Lincoln Shopping Center and asked if she could rent a space for teaching her students. Shopping centers were at this time a new concept in retail. The response to her request to rent was that she would have to sell something. Iona was quick to say "O.K., I'll sell art supplies" and hence her other love began…Village Flair began in 1959 and she didn't look back - the art lessons and supplies became accessories, antiques, clothing and interior design.

Iona used her innate talent to design beautiful homes for her clients. That same talent was present in the thousands of paintings she created. After she retired in 1980 she quickly decided she wasn't done - Gallerie Iona was formed. She displayed a myriad of paintings and collectables in a beautiful gallery setting, also in Lincoln Center. Iona's trips to Europe and Asia along with her husband Ken fed her love of the arts. Iona was a sustaining member of Junior Aid and Stockton Art League.

Iona was preceded in death by her loving husband Kenneth Hepper. She leaves behind her daughter Judy Flynn-Salisbury, husband Bruce Salisbury, son Rodney Hepper, wife Lidwina Hepper, granddaughter Heather Rokoszewski, husband Joe and great granddaughters Samantha and Jaclyn.

We are all grateful to her incredible ability to see the beauty in our world and to teach us to enjoy each and every moment of our lives. She and her husband made many crossings to Europe purchasing lovely antiques and objects of art to bring to the many clients and friends. Her beautiful smile will always be remembered by so many. She was a talented lady who will long be remembered for her style and elegance. Special thanks and love to the wonderful people who cared for her. Leanna you are the best, Mom came to love you very much. Kandi and Carolina who so sweetly cared for and loved mom, thank you, thank you - and of course our darling Hospice nurses Pam and Cheryl as well as Linda - you are so appreciated!

Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service, Thursday, October 2, 2008 at the DeYoung Shoreline Chapel, 7676 Shoreline Dr., Stockton, CA at 1:00 p.m. There will be visitation at the Shoreline Chapel, Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Committal will be private at Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, CA.

Please make contributions to Hospice of San Joaquin, 3888 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204, Haggin Museum, 1201 N. Pershing Ave., Stockton, CA 95203 or Stockton Art League, 1902 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204.

Online guest book at deyoungmemorialchapel.com