Rita Marie Simpson
"There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, their light remains."
Rita Marie Simpson of Overton passed away at home on Friday, January 10, 2025, after courageously fighting ALS for nearly two years.
She was born on October 29, 1953, in Pender, Nebraska, to Merlyn and Mary Sue (Schmiedeskamp) Weddingfeld. As a young child, her family moved to Hartington, Nebraska, where she attended Holy Trinity Elementary School, Cedar Catholic High School and graduated from Hartington High School with the class of 1972. She attended Wayne State College where she earned her degree in Elementary Education. She began her long career of teaching at Newcastle Public Schools. She also taught at East Butler Public Schools, IBP childcare in Lexington, Nebraska, District 15 in rural Dawson County and Elwood Public Schools where she impacted the lives of hundreds of her students. She retired from teaching in 2017 after her diagnosis of breast cancer, which she successfully defeated. She continued to substitute teach in Overton and Lexington until her diagnosis of ALS in May of 2023.
While teaching in Newcastle, Robby Simpson entered into her life. They would be married on June 15, 1985, in Hartington, Nebraska. To this marriage she was blessed with two children: Ashlee and Nathan. She was an amazing mom to her children and even more amazing "memaw" to her two grandchildren: Kennedy and Jordan.
Rita enjoyed reading and attending live theatre productions. She enjoyed traveling and exploring new places. She and Rob were able to visit 39 of the 50 states. They completed the Nebraska Passport Program several years resulting in visiting all the counties in Nebraska. Spending time watching her two grandchildren do their school events, sports, having them over to spend the day baking and creating were many of her most cherished times. She was a lifelong member and supporter of the Girl Scouts and was a leader for troops in Newcastle, Overton and Elwood.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents and father and mother-in-law.
Rita is survived by her husband, Rob of Overton, daughter Ashlee Simpson of Las Vegas, Nevada; son, Nathan (Ashley) Simpson of Cozad; grandchildren, Kennedy and Jordan Simpson of Cozad; sister, Mary Fran (Michael) Courtney of Las Vegas, Nevada; brothers, David Weddingfeld of Las Vegas, Nevada, John (Sarah) Weddingfeld of Blue Hill, Nebraska, James (Deb) Weddingfeld of Yankton, South Dakota, and Ray Weddingfeld of Las Vegas, Nevada; brother and sister-in-law, BJ (Terri) Simpson of Shenandoah, Iowa, Cyndi (Steve) Lortz of Lincoln, Nebraska, Terri (Jim) Gustafson of Lincoln, and Lori (Mark) Mares of Burwell, Nebraska, along with numerous nieces, and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
Visitation and Rosary will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 5-7 p.m at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Overton with a Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lexington, with Father Jose Chavez, officiating.
Rita requested that she be cremated, and inurnment will be conducted at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to ALS in the Heartland or Team Gleason.
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