SIMPSON, Ethel (Hey) - b. November 9, 1936 - d. July 16, 2014

[patyrn]

Ethel (Hey) Simpson, age 77, passed away July 16, 2014 at her residence in Arkansas City, Kansas.  She was born November 9, 1936 in Tyro, Kansas, the oldest of nine children born to Frank Hey and Dorothy (Corle) Hey-McNown.

Ethel lived in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Iowa.  She married Jimmy Simpson on August 12, 1956 in Wilton, Iowa.  The couple moved to Kansas in 1958 and lived here the rest of her life.  She worked as a grill cook. a cook for the Executive Dining Room at Beech Aircraft (now Raytheon), a bench builder for Cessna, for SRS, Council on Aging, and R.C.I.L.  She retired from Braum's Ice Cream Store where she worked for 10 years.  Ethel and Jimmy also raised three of their grandchildren.

Ethel was know as "Momma Relay" for her association with Relay for Life where she participated until her death. She was a member of the Victory Chapter 157, Order of the Eastern Star and Ruby Slippers Red Hat.

Ethel is survived by her husband, Jimmy, of the home; three daughters, Catherine Simmons of Morganton, North Carolina, Rebecca Simpson of Arkansas City, Kansas, and Marvena Cheever of Anadarko, Oklahoma; one son, Greg Simpson of Arkansas City, Kansas; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Pearl Williams of Moline, Kansas, Wanda Hey of Moline, Kansas, Lena Quellet of Longton, Kansas, and Linda High of Moline, Kansas; and one brother, Merle Hey of Moline, Kansas.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Hey and Dorothy Hey-McNown; two brothers, Frank Hey and William Hey; one sister, Bea Harrison; her stepfather, Ivan McNown, and one step-grandson, Robbie (Madison) Cheever.

Graveside services were held on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Parker, Cemetery in Cowley County, Kansas.  Memorials have been established with the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, or Arkansas City Relay for Life.  Contributions may be made through Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, 100 E. Kansas Avenue, Arkansas City, Kansas 67005 which is in charge of arrangements.  Online contributions may be made at www.rindt-erdman.com.

(taken from the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home website)