Ione Othilia Hooson

Ione O. Hooson passed away Thursday, April 17, 2008, at the St. John's Lutheran Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 21, at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Sixth Street West and Grand Avenue. The service will be followed by procession to the Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitations will begin at noon on Sunday, April 20, at Smith Downtown Chapel, 925 S. 27th St. The casket will be closed at the church. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or St. John's Lutheran Ministries, 3940 Rimrock Road, Billings, MT 59102.

Ione was born on Aug. 19, 1915, to Joe and Ida Nelson in Hankinson, N.D. She moved shortly thereafter to their homestead 50 miles northeast of Forsyth. They later moved to Miles City, where her father worked for the Milwaukie Railroad. Ione graduated from Custer County District High School and married her high school sweetheart, Jack W. Hooson, on Feb. 16, 1936. Ione worked at the Shores Dept. Store prior to moving to Billings with their newborn son John.

Ione and Jack joined the Trinity Lutheran Church in Billings, where they were active members. Ione and Jack were instrumental in building the new church and school and acquiring the church's new pipe organ, which Ione played for many years. At the time, it was the largest pipe organ in Billings. Ione played for the German services, funerals, weddings and special services. On many Sundays, she played for three services in a row while having to care for their four children. Ione was a consummate mother with many talents.

Ione continually improved her skills with lessons and workshops. She joined the Yellowstone Chapter of the American Organists Guild, and served two terms as Dean. For nearly 20 years, she also enjoyed her service as an organist for Smith's Funeral Home in Billings. A highlight of her musical life was the opportunity to play an extraordinary pipe organ. While on a 1996 tour in Germany, she played the same instrument on which Johann Sebastian Bach practiced, composed and played in the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig. For many years, Ione was a volunteer organist, pianist and gift shop helper at the St. John's Ministries.

Until recently, Ione entertained the staff and residents of the St. John's Lutheran Ministries and was much beloved.

Ione is survived by her sister, Irene Killworth of Tacoma, Wash.; and brother Orvall (Roberta) Nelson of Spokane, Wash.; her two sons, John and his wife Ann of Beaverton, Ore., and James and his wife Doreen of Billings; two daughters, Judith Wegner and her husband Ken of Maple Valley, Wash., and Joyce Stewart and her husband Glenn of Forsyth; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Ione was preceded in death by her husband, Jack and her parents, Joe and Ida Nelson.