- Date Of Birth: May 28, 1928
- Date Of Death: March 26, 2016
- State: Utah
Zelma Payne Jeppsen returned to our Savior’s loving arms on Saturday, March 26, 2016 after a short illness. Zelma was born May 28, 1928 in Lewiston, Utah. She was the thirteenth child of Alvin Cullen Payne and Lucy Carr Ransom Payne.
At the age of 17 she was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Within a year she met the love of her life, Richard Nephi Jeppsen. They were married for time and all eternity on May 29, 1946 in the Logan Utah temple. They were blessed with six children, Richard (Susan), Michael, Susan (Larry) Hull, Nancy Jo (Paul) Baxter, Jeffrey (Michelle), Cindy Lou (Kenny) Simcox. Zelma cherished her family which included thirty grandchildren, sixty-five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
After marriage Richard and Zelma moved to Seattle where they lived for three years. Her father became ill and they returned to Utah where she nursed her dad for two years as he battled stomach cancer. Her parents moved in with them during this period of time and her mom remained with them throughout her life
Zelma worked at Sprouse Ritz and then landed a job at the Intermountain Indian School as a Dormitory Supervisor. For a short time after retirement she worked for Christensen’s in downtown Brigham City.
She was a sports enthusiast. Her favorite callings included being Young Women’s Sports Director. She loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities where she had no qualms about speaking her mind to the officials about their calls. Zelma and Richard traveled far and wide attending many sports and life events in support of their children and grandchildren. Everyone in their family loved having them attend their various activities.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters, Clarence A., Earnest Cleo, Frank C., Lila May Smith, Novice Estell Hedin, Crinner Leah Shumway, Mary Neal Pearson, Nellie Bee Long, John J., Alvin Jr., Effie Meyers, Dorotha Helen Rackham, and two grandsons, Ryan Paul Baxter and Mark David Baxter.
