Dr. Ida Mae Adolphson

Dr. Ida M. Adolphson, 95 year old resident of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, passed away on June 30, 2019 at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on December 13, 1923 in Topeka, Kansas, to Carl Adolphson and Grace Downs Adolphson. Beginning at an early age, she was raised by her father Carl Adolphson and her stepmother, Esther Adolphson. Ida graduated high school in Topeka, and attended the University of Kansas for two years before transferring to John Brown University. After graduating from John Brown University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Broadcasting, Ida served as a missionary with the Far Eastern Broadcasting Crusade in Manilla, Philippines. She was program director, script writer, and broadcaster. She returned to John Brown University in 1959 and was Head Resident of Women’s Residence Hall, before serving as Dean of Women from 1961-1968. During the summertime, she completed her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Behavioral Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Ida served as Assistant Dean of Students for Moody Bible Institute in Chicago from 1968-1973. She returned to John Brown University and served as Director of Counseling 1973-1980. Ida completed her Doctorate of Student Development at the University of Arkansas in 1983. She was Professor of Psychology at John Brown University from 1980-1989, and was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1989. She was an Adjunct Professor Emeritus from 1989-1998, then Coordinator of Graduate Admissions from 1998 until her retirement in the early 2000’s. Ida was very active in the Siloam Springs community serving on Sager Creek Art Center Board of Directors, the Civitan Club, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She was also an officer with Delta Kappa Gamma and a member of National Association of Christian Counselors. She loved to travel and while in the Philippines she spent time in Hong Kong and Japan. She made two cruise trips to Alaska; traveled to Egypt and Israel, and took cruises through the Baltics, down the Rhine River, and her last trip was a cruise through Canada and New England Ida is survived by her many friends and Sandra VanThiel, Ida’s caregiver. For those who wish to honor Ida with a donation, a contribution can be made to the Dr. Ida Adolphson Endowed Psychology Scholarship Fund at John Brown University. A donation can also be made in her name to Wycliffe Bible Translators, Moody Bible Institute, or Samaritan’s Purse. Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 5, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church in Siloam Springs, with Rev. Breck Castleman officiating. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs at a later date.

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Dr. Ida Mae Adolphson

December 13, 1923 - June 30, 2019