Edna Kathryn Simpson

Visitation: November 22, 2022, from 2-7 p.m. at Titzer Family Funeral Homes, Simpson Chapel

Services: 10:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 23,2022 at Titzer Family Funeral Homes, Simpson Chapel, 510 W. Jennings St. Newburgh, IN 47630 (812) 853-8314. Burial will follow at Lynnville Cemetery.

Edna Kathryn Simpson died November 8^th, 2022, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital at the age of 102. She was born at home in Lynnville, Indiana on June 15, 1920. She was named after her mother and father, Edward Fiedler, and Catherine Deisinger Fiedler. She was baptized at St. Mathews UCC in Lynnville and attended Barnett Chapel at Stanley, Indiana. She married Charles Simpson, her high school sweetheart, in 1948.

She was preceded in death by her husbands: Charles Simpson (50 years) and George H. Herrmann who died within months of their marriage when she was 18. Siblings: Adeline Madden, Walter Feidler, Anna Ricketts, Emma McCarty, Elma Schmitt, and Valada Foster. She was the youngest and proudly proclaimed “I’m the baby of the family!” to anyone who would listen. She has two surviving nephews: Bill Feidler (Nancy) and Byron Emmerson Madden (Jean). She loved her big extended family and Charles’ too. 

She is survived by daughters: Brenda Carol Meyer, Cheryl Dawn Grimm (Mark) and Shawn Renee Dotson (Tim). Grandchildren: Angela Dawn Sprinkle (spouse Ben Osbun), Emily Lauren Grimm and Nathan Charles Dotson (Samantha Shinn Dotson). Great-grandchild: Ezra Justus Osbun.

She was quite an amazing person. She was not Rosie the Riveter but the bucker who held the piece to attach the elevator to move the wing flaps on WW 2 fighting planes at Hoosier Cardinal. She grew up in The Depression and the experience shaped her decisions. “Drink water” was her advice when eating out. She led a life of service shaped by her faith. She attended St. Lucas UCC and the Mary Marthas Sunday School class for many years and then Newburgh United Methodist Church where she enjoyed Sunday School Classmates. She was a Girl Scout Leader, a 4-H Leader for 30 years, Room mother and Reading Bucket Brigade Mom. Charter member of the Newburgh Woman’s Club (25 years) and the Oak Grove Homemakers Club (70 years). She rode a horse to Mt. Olive school. She started high school at Elberfeld High school and graduated in 1938 from Lynnville High School. She was on the Mt. Olive One Room School House Committee for years and faithfully attended Lynnville High School Annual Reunions, including 2022. She loved genealogy and loved visiting cemeteries and court houses to document family connections. She was very proud of their small farm and was as comfortable on a tractor as a lawn mower. She stopped driving when she was in her late 90’s, but continued to mow the lawn, pick up fallen branches and dig up dandelions until last year. She loved her community and her friends. She presented the case in Indianapolis to fund the first volunteer fire station at Paradise, Indiana. She enjoyed attending Newburgh Senior Citizens, the YMCA Pilates class twice a week with Mary Cupperson until she was 100. Susan Wilkie was her resolute Pilates coach who helped her balance on a Pilates ball. She worked with her physical therapist, Justin King, at Newburgh Pro Rehab, and was able to get around on her own. It is fitting she died on Election Day as she was a Warrick County, Ohio Township election poll worker for over 40 years. 

Her mom was called “Traveling Kate” and mom followed suit. Kathryn kept her bag packed and was ready for an adventure. She traveled to Germany many times after the age of 80 and was able to visit Strassfurt where her father was born in 1864. She also visited Spain, Majorca, France, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Malta, Turkey, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, and most of the lower 48. At 80 she floated over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon and danced with a taxi driver on the high road Corniche overlooking the Mediterranean on the way to Monaco. She rode The Hulk Roller Coaster at 90. The year before the Covid Pandemic she traveled twice to California, twice to North Carolina, Florida, and Tulsa. Even this last year she visited Texas for her grandson’s wedding, Joplin MO to meet her first great-grandchild, Florida with friends to see the beach and St. Louis with her daughter to check out sites for a Faith and Justice Pilgrimage. Recently she was asked about her life and what she wanted to do. She said, I love my life, and I want to go on trips.” She had plans for a trip to Florida the first week of November but went to heaven instead.

Thank you to all the staff who took care of her at Newburgh Health Care and supported us in our last weeks with her. Many, many thanks to Dr. David Schultz who had the capacity to show up just when we needed him the most and helped guide us through exceedingly tough times. Thanks also to all the staff at the Deaconess Gateway Oncology unit who provided the most peaceful, serene, comfortable place for all of us at the end. 

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 23,2022 at Titzer Family Funeral Homes, Simpson Chapel, 510 W. Jennings St. Newburgh, IN 47630 (812) 853-8314. Burial will follow at Lynnville Cemetery.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2022, from 2-7 p.m. at the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions can be made to: Newburgh United Methodist Church - 4178 Old State Route 261, Ohio Township Fire Department - P.O. 635, Newburgh, IN 47629 and Newburgh Senior Center - 529 Jefferson Street

From the family who always ends the Happy Birthday Song with “Until you are 144”, we miss you.

Sympathy wishes may be made to the family at titzerfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are in the care of Titzer Family Funeral Homes.