Irene Maude (Boyer) Simpson

OBITUARY OF IRENE MAUDE (BOYER) SIMPSON

Irene Maude (Boyer) Simpson was born January 20,1928 in Belvedere, Nebraska, to George Edwin Boyer and Irene “Millie” Hayes Boyer. Irene was born a twin, with a sister, Ilene Maude Boyer, who was born just minutes after her. Ilene passed away at the age of 7 months.

The family moved frequently during her early childhood, including Missouri, Hebron, Nebraska, Fairfield, Nebraska, Ogallala Nebraska and Argo, Minnesota. Irene was 6 years old at this time and started grade school at a country school; however, she would only stay at this school for a year before the family moved back to Ogallala, Nebraska. Irene’s father started to work for Rene Martin, south of Ogallala, in 1937 and after a year, he rented land and raised sugar beets. At age 9 Irene once again started school, attending country schools in the Brule, Nebraska area and Brule High School through her Junior year. During this time of war, Irene experienced the rationing of sugar, tires, gas and saving coupons. She made sandwiches with the ladies of Brule for the soldiers and sailors who stopped at the Canteen in North Platte.

Irene’s father had the opportunity to purchase a farm east of Sutherland in 1945, so once again the family moved. Irene worked at O’Deans grocery store and graduated from Sutherland High School in 1946.

After buying ice cream at O’Deans on a hot summer day, Irene met Robert Lyle Simpson, a young rancher from Arthur County. A few days later, Robert went to the grocery store and asked Irene out on a date. They were married on October 3, 1948. Soon after the wedding the newlyweds moved to a ranch in Arthur County. The blizzard of ’49 would begin on January 2, 1949, and continue through mid-February. The couple was blessed with three sons.

Life wasn’t boring in the sandhills. Irene raised a garden and chickens, made butter, cottage cheese, sausage and canned vegetables and beef. She also enjoyed baking pies. She loved the ranch life.

Retirement found them selling the ranch and moving to Hershey, Nebraska before settling in North Platte.

Irene was proceeded in death by her husband Robert in 2001, her parents, brother Bill Boyer, sister Betty Vasquez, father-in law Alva Simpson, mother-in-law Pearl Simpson, sisters-in-law Joyce Boyer, Marlene Boyer, Vera Griffith, Opal Bridwell, Lila Piihl, Verna Cinnamon and Norma Simpson; brothers-in-law Dean Simpson, LaVerne Bridwell, Albert Cinnamon, George Piihl, Elgin Griffith, Philip Vasquez, nephew Randy Simpson, niece Patricia Arnold.

She is survived by sons, Harold (Nora) of Aurora, Colorado, Bill (Michelle) of Arthur, Nebraska, and Jim of North Platte, Nebraska. Her brother Lloyd Boyer of Sutherland, Nebraska, seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces and many friends.

Cremation was chosen. Buriel will be in the McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska.