Ilona LaRee Ouwerkerk

April 2, 1944 - January 12, 2020

Ilona LaRee Ouwerkerk, 75, of East Elmina Drive, passed January 12, 2020, at Silver Oaks Health Campus. Ilona was born April 2, 1944, in Rigby, Idaho, the daughter of Robert and Wanda Allen Hanson. Ilona grew up on a farm and knew the value of hard work and helping your neighbors. As a child, Ilona learned to sew and quilt from her mother, and that was a skill she would master and enjoy for the duration of her life. She graduated high school and served mission in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Georgia for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following her mission Ilona worked as a secretary. She enjoyed telling the story of the five marriage proposals she had and turned down prior to getting engaged and marrying Rien Ouwerkerk on April 12, 1969. Ilona and Rien welcomed their only child Carissa in 1971, and Ilona would spend the rest of her life as a devout mother. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and never passed up an opportunity to serve her fellow church members. She was well known for her ability to alter prom and wedding dresses, catering wedding receptions, and making decorations for a variety of events. Throughout her life Ilona would hold many callings within the church, but her favorite was serving as a Den Master for the Cub Scouts for five years. Ilona held various jobs throughout her life, including working in a ceramic shop, crafting beautiful porcelain dolls, and teaching others the joy of ceramics. She also spent time as a substitute cook for Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. She was a devout grandmother to her four grandchildren, attending all sports events, school concerts and dance recitals. Her grandchildren remember her creativity, her delicious cooking and her witty comebacks, lovingly referred to as "Grandma Burns." She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren whom she loved and adored. The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, January 17, 2020, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Bishop Jack Bartnette officiating. Calling will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Interment will be at Annis Little Butte Cemetery in Rigby, Idaho. Memorials may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Humanitarian Aid. Survivors include her brothers, Terrall (Jeanette) Hanson of Ammon, Idaho, Norman (Rea) Hanson of Pocatello, Idaho and Gaylon (Clarene) Hanson of Rigby, Idaho; daughter, Carissa (Daniel) Nelson of Columbus; granddaughter, Felicia (Robert) Nelson of North Vernon , Cheyenne (Jameson) Stephens of Columbus, Dillan Nelson of Lafayette and Rainbow Nelson of Columbus; four great-grandchildren, Nikolai, Melanie, Temperance and Reece; and numerouse nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Rien on August 21,2016. There are never enough words to describe the loss of someone who was loved dearly, but we hold onto our memories in hope to carry on her traditions. To remain open minded and spread love, because that is what she did.