Our beautiful and beloved wife, Mother and “Nanny”, Barbara June Payne Ipsen peacefully passed away unexpectedly on August 6, 2019. She was encircled by love with her husband and children around her. She was born December 31, 1937, in Oakland, CA to E. Junius and Helen Dixon Payne.
Her treasures in life were her family and faith in Jesus Christ. She married her husband, Robert, of 63 years in the Mesa Arizona Temple. Her children: Robin (Mark) Harmon, Jannie (Greg) Brady, Bradley Payne (Suzanne) Ipsen, Dana (Jeff, deceased) Groscost. She has 17 wonderful grandchildren and 31 precious great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Bette (Robert) Peterson and many cherished nieces, nephews and many special friends.
She lived a wonderful life of service and is a friend to all. Her talents and creativity knew no bounds, she made everything beautiful. Her smile always sparkled as brightly as her perfectly adorned outfits. She is one in a million!
She added meaning and bling to everything and loved anything to do with her children and grandchildren. Making memories, starting and keeping traditions were a top priority. Her deep relationship with each of them and her legacy will live on in their lives forever.
Mother delighted in every opportunity to serve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved the Temple and faithfully served in the Mesa Arizona Temple for 24 plus years. Everything in her life was centered around her Temple service.
She will be remembered for how she loved genuinely and generously.
Oh, how we will miss her…our lives will never be the same. We rejoice in the glorious reunion taking place and know we will be together again. To know her is to love her~and to feel her love for you.
A visitation will be Friday, August 16, 2019 from 6-8 PM at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Her funeral services ill be Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 11 AM with a visitation from 9:30 – 10:30 AM at the Citrus Heights Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2549 N. 32nd Street, Mesa, AZ.
Barbara was a former classmate at North Phoenix High School in the 1950’s. She was a sweet, kind person to everyone. Beautiful young lady, even then, beautiful person. So sorry to hear of her passing. I am sure such a wonderful lady will be very sorely missed. But maybe it helps a little that people have only good memories of her. My condolences to the family & friends. Kim Nofsinger
My deepest condolences for the whole Family.
You know how much I loved your mother. None of my own words would be able to convey the feelings in my heart but there is this beautiful quote that is comforting:
“Had this flower the magic art – To sooth the anguish of the heart. – Monarchs would lay their scepter down, and for a flower resign a crown. – How small, of all that human hearts endure- That part which laws or kings can cause or cure.” Samuel Johnson
I did not know Barbara well. What I did experience from her was the way she could light up a room and her kindness to me when I was experiencing health issues. She was a great example to me and I will miss her.
My family and the Paynes were next door neighbors when Barbara, Betty and I were girls; I have fond memories of the plays and talent shows we would put on using the Payne’s clothes lines for stage curtains and the costumes that Barbara and Betty would fashion. Barbara was always creative, outgoing, kind, happy and fun to be with–how fortunate I was to have lived so close to her. My condolences to her family who was so blessed to have had her as their matriarch.
We are sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. She was a kind and lovely person. We appreciate her interest and attention in our lives and will miss her greatly. Blessings to her loved ones.
Oh how sorry for your family loss. I will miss her so. Her sweet smile & love so very warm over the years. Your loss cannot erase the wonderful memories and the joy of the gospel to know she lights up a different relm to which there surely was a joyful welcome. Have strength in the family & remember you will see her again at a joyful time.
I have such fond memories of riding to church with the Ipsen Family. My deepest condolences for the loss of your sweet, kind mother.
I cannot remember a time in my life when I didn’t know, love and admire Barbara Ipsen. As a child, as part of our parents’ Great Group of friends, l have lovely memories of the fun picnics and parties we enjoyed. Barbara was always so kind to all the children and interested in getting to know us. I think she made every child feel special. Through my teens, I was friends with the Ipsen kids and again, Barbara and Bob always made me feel so welcome in their beautiful home and around their wonderful family. One Christmas, Barbara taught me how to tie fancy holiday ribbon into incredible bows. To this day, I think of Barbara every time I make a pretty bow. She was so talented with her hands and made everything she touched, lovelier, more fun or more beautiful.
In my adult life she has remained dear friends with my parents, working together in the temple and staying in touch, so I still get to hear about her kindness and strong influence on others. The Jones family loves the Ipsen family and we are all blessed by knowing your stellar mother, wife and Nanny. We send our condolences at your loss. We feel blessed and grateful to have known Barbara. She was absolutely amazing!
My husband and I moved to Mesa over 20 years ago and Barbara was one of the first people I met. Her smile and genuine warmness is what I will always remember. She was a lady through and through! I was so sad to hear about her passing. My prayers to your family!
I have wonderful memories of Barbara from the Young Womens program. She taught us and exemplified making all things around us beautiful (from wrapping presents with handmade bows and flower arranging, to making our innerself beautiful). I enjoyed helping her decorate for Christmas as she was one to go the extramile to make events special. She had a knack in making everyone feel important and loved. I send heartfelt love to her family! Barbara was (and still is) a dynamic loving individual!
Barbara and I were good friends and fellow students at North Phoenix High, where she was active in student politics and was one of the most popular girls on campus. I was sorry to hear of her passing and send condolences to her family.