Obituary for Helen Maxine Simpler
It is with sadness and rejoicing, that we share the news of the death of our mother, Helen Simpler. Helen passed away on November 12, 2023. She was 101 years old. Helen had been a resident of Derby Assisted Living in Derby, KS. for the past 8 years.
Helen Maxine Prather Simpler was the only child of Tim and Mary Prather of Sedan, KS. Love of music was a constant in Helen’s life. She was a drum major, a contest winning vocalist, and a music major in college. Helen’s second love was sports. As a young, high school girl in the 1930’s, Helen worked on the school’s newspaper. When asked what section she’d like to cover, she said she wanted to do the sports section! A trail blazer always, Helen initiated the keeping of statistics-a relatively new concept in high school football. All the coaches loved this valued information, so when Helen graduated, this task was passed along to her father. Eventually, the Sedan High School’s football field would be named after her father, Tim Prather, who kept stats and was the official press reporter for many years. For his many years of voluntary service to Sedan High School, Tim was inducted into the Kansas High School Activities’ Hall of Fame. After high school graduation in 1940, Helen enrolled at Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, OK where she graduated with a degree in performance vocal music.
Although Helen had a love for sports and music, no love would ever surpass her love for the boy she met when she was 13 years old. Al Simpler, the boy from across the street, was the love of her life. As WWII ended, Al returned home from overseas. Al and Helen were married in 1944. The newlyweds first home was at Kearns Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, Utah where Al completed his service in the Army Air Corp. Al and Helen then moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where Al attend Oklahoma A&M, today, Oklahoma State University. While there, Al completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Helen often stated that she should have had a diploma also, as she was his college paper’s typists and editor. While attending Oklahoma A & M, Al and Helen welcomed their first child, Dee Simpler. When Al began his coaching career, Helen began utilizing her music degree in Hominy, Oklahoma's elementary schools where she was known for her original and elaborate operettas. In addition to teaching, and with now son Dee and daughter Janet in tow, Helen began her “coaching” career as a football scout for Al.
The family of five now included Susan as they moved to Junction City in 1959. Helen began a 26-year career as a second-grade teacher at Lincoln School while Al taught and coached at Junction City High School. Helen was active in school, community, and church activities. During her career, Helen had many accomplishments and recognitions. She was very proud when awarded the Master Teacher of the Year.
After her retirement in 1985, Helen and Al began another amazing chapter of their lives. Helen could often be found with Al at Rolling Meadows Golf Course, or at The Good Samaritan Nursing Home sharing craft projects with the residents, or appearing much to the delight of many elementary children as “The Picture Lady.” Although always busy helping others, Helen took this time to channel her amazing creativity into writing. At age 85, Helen published a children’s book and Al illustrated the cover. Perhaps, the greatest joy of retirement was the opportunity for Al and Helen to visit their children and spend time with their nine grandchildren.
After Al's death in 2007, Helen moved into an independent living facility in Texas prior to relocating to Derby Assisted Living in, Derby Ks. Helen's zest for living continued to show through her vivacious personality and ever-present smile. Friends acquired through the years were of utmost importance to Helen including classmates, colleagues, former students, church members and the many new friends she met. Her Christmas list included over 150 names. Helen had many talents including an amazing memory. Her ability to share a name or what year they participated in all sports at JCHS will be greatly missed as she was the official record keeper of the family. Helen was a smiling presence wherever she went. One friend put it this way, "She was such a kind and supportive person. I felt lifted every time we interacted. I never saw her at a loss for someone's name. Whenever she appeared, there was a flock around her to chat with her."
Al and Helen held a deep faith in their Lord Jesus Christ and relied on His word as their guide. They were Christians in belief and in deed. Al, with Helen’s support, was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a founding member and chapter leader. It is that faith and those principles that Al and Helen shared with their own children, as well as the many children whose lives she and Al nurtured and inspired through many, many years. Al and Helen had a slogan by which they lived “No Alibis-No Regrets.” Her family has no regrets-just the incredible joy of loving our mom, Helen Simpler.
Helen is survived by her three children:
Dee and Blinda Simpler
Janet Simpler Pionkowski
Susan and Steven Lovitt
Nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
There will be a private, family service.
Most cherished are the memories you might wish to convey.
Please send all correspondence for the family to:
Smith Family Mortuary’s Website
Derby, KS
-OR-
Dee Simpler
838 Southcrest Dr.
Derby, KS 67037.
Helen Maxine Prather Simpler was the only child of Tim and Mary Prather of Sedan, KS. Love of music was a constant in Helen’s life. She was a drum major, a contest winning vocalist, and a music major in college. Helen’s second love was sports. As a young, high school girl in the 1930’s, Helen worked on the school’s newspaper. When asked what section she’d like to cover, she said she wanted to do the sports section! A trail blazer always, Helen initiated the keeping of statistics-a relatively new concept in high school football. All the coaches loved this valued information, so when Helen graduated, this task was passed along to her father. Eventually, the Sedan High School’s football field would be named after her father, Tim Prather, who kept stats and was the official press reporter for many years. For his many years of voluntary service to Sedan High School, Tim was inducted into the Kansas High School Activities’ Hall of Fame. After high school graduation in 1940, Helen enrolled at Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, OK where she graduated with a degree in performance vocal music.
Although Helen had a love for sports and music, no love would ever surpass her love for the boy she met when she was 13 years old. Al Simpler, the boy from across the street, was the love of her life. As WWII ended, Al returned home from overseas. Al and Helen were married in 1944. The newlyweds first home was at Kearns Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, Utah where Al completed his service in the Army Air Corp. Al and Helen then moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma where Al attend Oklahoma A&M, today, Oklahoma State University. While there, Al completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Helen often stated that she should have had a diploma also, as she was his college paper’s typists and editor. While attending Oklahoma A & M, Al and Helen welcomed their first child, Dee Simpler. When Al began his coaching career, Helen began utilizing her music degree in Hominy, Oklahoma's elementary schools where she was known for her original and elaborate operettas. In addition to teaching, and with now son Dee and daughter Janet in tow, Helen began her “coaching” career as a football scout for Al.
The family of five now included Susan as they moved to Junction City in 1959. Helen began a 26-year career as a second-grade teacher at Lincoln School while Al taught and coached at Junction City High School. Helen was active in school, community, and church activities. During her career, Helen had many accomplishments and recognitions. She was very proud when awarded the Master Teacher of the Year.
After her retirement in 1985, Helen and Al began another amazing chapter of their lives. Helen could often be found with Al at Rolling Meadows Golf Course, or at The Good Samaritan Nursing Home sharing craft projects with the residents, or appearing much to the delight of many elementary children as “The Picture Lady.” Although always busy helping others, Helen took this time to channel her amazing creativity into writing. At age 85, Helen published a children’s book and Al illustrated the cover. Perhaps, the greatest joy of retirement was the opportunity for Al and Helen to visit their children and spend time with their nine grandchildren.
After Al's death in 2007, Helen moved into an independent living facility in Texas prior to relocating to Derby Assisted Living in, Derby Ks. Helen's zest for living continued to show through her vivacious personality and ever-present smile. Friends acquired through the years were of utmost importance to Helen including classmates, colleagues, former students, church members and the many new friends she met. Her Christmas list included over 150 names. Helen had many talents including an amazing memory. Her ability to share a name or what year they participated in all sports at JCHS will be greatly missed as she was the official record keeper of the family. Helen was a smiling presence wherever she went. One friend put it this way, "She was such a kind and supportive person. I felt lifted every time we interacted. I never saw her at a loss for someone's name. Whenever she appeared, there was a flock around her to chat with her."
Al and Helen held a deep faith in their Lord Jesus Christ and relied on His word as their guide. They were Christians in belief and in deed. Al, with Helen’s support, was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a founding member and chapter leader. It is that faith and those principles that Al and Helen shared with their own children, as well as the many children whose lives she and Al nurtured and inspired through many, many years. Al and Helen had a slogan by which they lived “No Alibis-No Regrets.” Her family has no regrets-just the incredible joy of loving our mom, Helen Simpler.
Helen is survived by her three children:
Dee and Blinda Simpler
Janet Simpler Pionkowski
Susan and Steven Lovitt
Nine grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
There will be a private, family service.
Most cherished are the memories you might wish to convey.
Please send all correspondence for the family to:
Smith Family Mortuary’s Website
Derby, KS
-OR-
Dee Simpler
838 Southcrest Dr.
Derby, KS 67037.