Irene Maude 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 ranch life.

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

Irene was preceded 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, and Philip Vasquez; nephew, Randy Simpson; and 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; four great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces; and many friends.

Cremation was chosen. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Service details will be announced at a later date.