Former Idaho State Senator Grant Ipsen died in his Meridian, Idaho, home on Sunday, June 5, at the age of 83. Senator Ipsen was the successful legislative sponsor of Idaho’s Free Exercise of Religion Act of 2000, a bill that he and the Northwest Religious Liberty Association (NRLA) spearheaded together.
Ipsen was an avid advocate and pioneer of the organization known as Stop Predatory Gambling. David Prest, Idaho Conference president, was an active board member of this organization.
Senator Ipsen was looking forward to attending the 25th Anniversary Gala of the NRLA on Aug. 16 as a special honoree. The Adventist Church had also recognized him in 2003 through Liberty magazine and the North American Religious Liberty Association and International Religious Liberty Association annual Liberty Awards Banquet held in the Watergate Ballroom of the Russell Senate Building, in Washington, D.C.
A good friend of the NRLA, Ipsen received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer less than two months ago. Hamilton and Prest plan to attend the funeral service and present personal condolences to his wife and family.
(From left) Gregory Hamilton, Northwest Religious Liberty Association president, with Senator Grant Ipsen at the 2003 Liberty Awards Banquet.
