Lynne Lapuaho

Marjorie Lynne Simpson Lapu'aho, lovingly known as Grandma Lynne, passed away on October 25, 2026 in South Jordan, Utah, just fifteen miles from the home she lived in for 50 years.

Lynne was born on July 15, 1939, in Quapaw, Ottawa County, Oklahoma to parents Ivy Violet "Iva" Simpson and Carlos James Simpson.

She married her first husband, Donald Lynn Voiles, on July 24, 1956. Their sons included the musician and legendary copywriter Brian Keith Voiles, and guitarist and songwriter Daniel Lynn Voiles.

At a young age, Lynne bravely packed up from Oklahoma and decided to make the trek to Utah. She later married Tevita Feongoi “David” Lapu'aho on December 19, 1983, where they were sealed in the temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her adopted sons included Olalei, Amoni, and Sione.

As a Latter-day Saint, Lynne kept the faith her whole life. She had a strong testimony, and though she endured a lot of loss and tough times in her life, she was able to pass peacefully knowing that she would finally get to reunite with so many of her loved ones.

Lynne loved art, drawing, and designing clothing. She liked to make paper dolls and paper doll clothing for her nieces. In her younger years, she was a majorette, or baton twirler, at high school Friday night games and Christmas parades. She also enjoyed roller skating, singing, riding horses, dancing, and Elvis (her favorites were the love songs). She'd often recount memories of dancing with her son, Brian, long into old age.

Lynne worked for many years as a secretary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before she retired. She also worked as a receptionist at MGM. She recalls being employed there during the production of Where the Red Fern Grows.

Lynne is predeceased by her husband, Tevita “David” Lapu'aho. Her siblings who preceded her in death were Sherman Gale Simpson in 1999, Alma Oneida Knapp in 2019, and Verda Vontreba Perry in 2025. A funny story Lynne loved to tell was when she and Treba used to chase Alma with little blades of grass that they'd pretend were worms, and Alma would be so frightened that she’d run away and shut herself up in the bathroom.

She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren deeply and often spoke about what was happening in their lives.

Lynne is survived by her sons Olalei Lapu'aho, Sione Lapu'aho, and Amoni Lapu'aho, her brothers Dallas and Jerrold, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

(Note: Lynne spelled her name "Lynn" most of her life, but the church later gave her the corrected spelling, "Lynne")

There will be a graveside service held on November 9th 2026, 11:00 AM MST at Memorial Redwood Mortuary & Cemetery, 6500 S Redwood Rd, West Jordan, UT 84084.