John Don Ipsen, 94, of Montpelier, Idaho passed away on Feb. 16, 2013 at Bear Lake Memorial Hospital. Don was born on July 30, 1918 in Bennington. He spent his early years growing up and working on the family farm. Although he attended first grade in Montpelier, his education through eighth grade was completed in Bennington's small country school. His ninth through 12 grade education continued in Montpelier where he graduated from Montpelier High School in 1936.

Following high school graduation, Don attended Utah State for one year before transferring to Brigham Young University. After completing his sophomore year at BYU, he served faithfully as an LDS missionary in the Northwestern States Mission. Upon completion of his mission, Don returned to BYU in 1941 hoping to complete his education. With the onset of WWII, Don was drafted into the army and served from 1941 to 1945. Two of his service years were as a supply sergeant and artillery trainer in Florida with the remaining two years served in similar capacities in the Philippines. The end of the war found Don returned to BYU where he completed his bachelor's degree.

After completion of College, Don returned to Montpelier and along with his brother, Allen, purchased Montpelier Milling. Al worked in the mill while Don went to Alaska and worked for a year and a half. Don and Al continued working in Montpelier Milling until Don left the business to work on the expanding family farm.

On Feb. 12, 1949, Don married Donna Fae Barsby in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together they returned to Montpelier where they continued to expand the farm, the livestock production business, and their own personal family of five children. Through hard work and the patience and help of Donna, the small farm and cattle business grew into an outstanding and widely recognized production operation known as Ipsen Hereford Ranch.

During this time, Don also worked for the United States Postal Service until retiring in 1982. However, after this retirement, he continued delivering mail along rural routes to Garden City, Utah and Thayne, Wyoming as well as continuing work on the ranch.

Don's passion for agriculture and irrigation systems led to his many years of service on the Montpelier Irrigation Company's Board of Directors. He along with many others played an instrumental role in the procuring of funds and developmental details that led to the construction of the Montpelier Canyon Dam and Reservoir.

Throughout his lifetime, Don served the Montpelier community as a member of the American Legion, as an adult FFA member, and as a leader and teacher in the LDS church. He was known for his integrity, work ethic, and love of family.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Donna and infant daughter, Donna Sue. Survivors include Loren (Shron) Ipsen of Boise, Brent (Peggy) Ipsen of Houston, Texas, Lillas Ipsen of Idaho Falls, Mark (Becky) Ipsen of Dingle, Jay (Miho) Ipsen of Payson, Utah and 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Services were held Feb. 23, 2013 in the Montpelier Second Ward located at 585 North 8th Street.