Iona Johnson Powers, age 99, passed away on April 6, 2026, at her residence at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, SD.

Iona Powers was born May 31, 1926, on the family farm northeast of Canova, SD, to Albert and Ila (Loudenburg) Johnson. She attended the rural Town Hall Grade School and graduated from Canova High School in 1943. She graduated from Sioux Valley Hospital School of Nursing and became a registered nurse. Iona then worked in pediatrics and for a pediatrician for 14 years before becoming the director of Augustana College Student Health, where she was employed for 20 years.

She was a member of First Congregational Church, SVH Nurses Alumni, Nordland Heritage Foundation, Berdahl Rolvaag House Guild, Augustana Golden Vikings, and Augustana Women's Craft Group. She was humbled and grateful for the recognition she received over the years. Iona was chosen "Queen for the Day" on the Ray Loftesness radio program. She was nominated by a family who were patients of the pediatrician where she worked. The Argus Leader featured her as "Cook of the Week." She was honored as "Volunteer of the Month" by Sioux Valley Hospital and "Nurse of the Year" by the Sioux Valley Nurses Alumni.

Clyde and Iona were not blessed with children of their own, but were thankful for family and friends who shared their children with them. The neighborhood kids would often stop by for a cookie from her cookie jar. Fellowship with Augustana foreign students was enjoyed over a home-cooked meal. Sometimes, students only needed a shoulder to cry on. A luau was served in their backyard for one group of students. It was decorated with lighted palm trees that Clyde had made for the occasion.

She is survived by brother-in-law, Dr. Donald Powers of Ames, Iowa; nieces Alisa Kendall, Amy Westrich, Linda Casteel, and Pamela Koepsell; nephews, Royal Koepsell, Damon Johnson, Burns Johnson, and Joel Powers; grandnieces and nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde; her parents; brother, Ivan Johnson; sister, Delores Koepsell; and a nephew, Steven Koepsell.

Memorials may be directed to First Congregational Church, the Augustana Scholarship Fund, or to the Dow Rummel Village.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 am on Monday, April 13, 2026, at the Dow Rummel Halladay Peterson Chapel, 1321 W. Dow Rummel Street, Sioux Falls, SD. The family will be present for a visitation from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Avenue.