Barbara Simpson Obituary

Barbara Ann "Shortie" Simpson, 97, of Newton, formerly of Kellogg, passed away on February 11, 2026, at Park Centre in Newton under the care of WesleyLife Hospice.

Barbara was born on October 26, 1928, in Lynnville, Iowa, to Charles Ladd and Mary Ratcliff. She graduated from New Sharon High School and went on to build a life centered around faith, family, and community. On November 3, 1946, she was united in marriage to Raymond Simpson in New Sharon, Iowa. Together, Barb and Ray shared a devoted 73-year marriage and a deep commitment to their church and the town they loved.

Barb worked as a secretary at Kellogg Elementary School for 26 years, where she became a familiar and welcoming presence to generations of students, staff, and families. She was a longtime member of Kellogg Methodist Church, where she faithfully played the piano and organ. Barb and Ray spent many evenings folding church bulletins and were always willing to lend a hand, including cooking for the Thursday night church dinners. Their quiet dedication left a lasting mark on their church family.

Barbara was truly beloved in the city of Kellogg. In recognition of the many ways she gave back to her community, she was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Kellogg Fourth of July parade - a role she filled with pride and her trademark warmth.

At home, Barb enjoyed cooking, reading, and especially following her children to their sporting events. Ray and Barb were big St. Louis Cardinals fans and passed that love down to their sons and their families. She was known for her famous macaroni and cheese. And when she tasted something particularly good that she made, she had a signature response: she would pull her utensil from her mouth, hold it high in the air (the higher she held it, the better the food), and declare, "Not bad if I do say so myself." It was a small gesture that brought smiles to many faces over the years.

Barb's life was defined by her steady faith, her servant's heart, and her deep love for her family and community. She will be remembered for her kindness, her humor, and the countless quiet ways she made life better for those around her.

Barb is survived by her sons, Dave (Leone) Simpson of Waterloo and Rod (Susan) Simpson of Newton; her six grandchildren, Kelly (Mark) Harris, Davey (Tammy) Simpson, Libby (Scott) Demuth, Kristin (Ryan) Hartz, Sarah (Silas) Hanneman, and Stephanie (Christian) Pardo; nine great-grandchildren; her sister, Mary Lou Runyan of Fairfax, Virginia, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond; her son, Stephan "Teet" Simpson in 1972; her brothers, Robert Ladd, Dick Ladd, and Max Ladd; and her sister, Colleen McGriff.

A memorial service for Barb will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet guests during a time of visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., one hour prior to the service. The memorial service will be live-streamed on the Pence-Reese Funeral Home Facebook page. A luncheon will be held at the funeral home following the service. Burial will take place at Our Silent City Cemetery in Kellogg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barb's name to the Kellogg Historical Society.

The family would like to thank the Park Centre staff, Dr. Pat Edwards, and WesleyLife Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to our mom.