Kenneth Simpson

Kenneth P. Simpson of Gretna, Nebraska
Aug 21, 1951 - May 28, 2018

Kenneth Paul Simpson was born August 21, 1951 in Red Cloud, Nebraska to Clair R. and Shirley (Paulger) Simpson. He attended Guide Rock Schools, graduating in 1969. After receiving an Army ROTC scholarship he attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. On December 30th of 1972 he married Joy Irene Petsch.  Following graduation from ND in the Spring of 1973, he was commissioned into the Army and attended Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Ken went to Officer Candidate School in Fort Gordon, Georgia where his specialty was Signal Corp.  He was then assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he served with the 1st Battalion 30th Field Artillery.  While there, he received an Army Commendation Medal for Outstanding Service as well as other awards and recognition.

On March 28, 1974, Ken and Joy welcomed son Bradley Alan.  On March 30 1977, Jennifer Joy was born.  In May 1977, the family relocated to Gretna, Nebraska and Ken accepted a position with OPPD.  On May 8, 1982 Rachel Elizabeth was born.  After OPPD, Ken worked with Union Pacific Railroad before joining Applied Communication, Inc., where he worked until his retirement in May 2016.  After his formal retirement, Ken proudly founded the Get “Er Done Guy’s, Inc. turning his longtime handyman hobby into a thriving business.

Though Ken was known as a dedicated worker all his life, his real happiness was found in his family.  As a young father, it was often noted that “no one talked about their kids as much as Ken Simpson!”  He loved every minute of his years watching track meets, basketball and baseball games and attending plays and music competitions.  This favorite aspect of his life was multiplied with the birth of his eight grandchildren.

In 2000, Brad married Jolene Strehle, and the two welcomed Hannah in 2001, Hailey in 2004, and Hayden in 2007.  In 2001, Jennifer married Rob Long, and they welcomed Payton in 2001, Malayna in 2005, and Sawyer in 2010. Rachel married Josiah Warren in 2012, and they welcomed Elsie in 2015, and Emma in 2016.  In 2012, Brad married Lee Anne Hawkins and the family was complete.

If you knew Ken, you knew the sheer bliss being a grandfather brought him.  It was rare that he might be seen without at least one of his beloved grandchildren in tow, on their way to get ice cream, or on some other adventure. He rarely missed a school concert or event, even as the family continued to grow. Ken and Joy also enjoyed traveling with their grandchildren as well as alone. Over the years they visited South Dakota, California, Lake Tahoe, Maui, the East Coast, Texas, Arizona, Cancun and took numerous trips to South Bend for Notre Dame football games. Ken also had more than a few adventures alone or with friends, too, including: skydiving, learning how to play the banjo, climbing Devil’s tower (twice!), touring Machu Picchu and visiting the Galapagos Island.

Ken’s dedication to his family and friends and his absolute zest for life, love and adventure will reach far beyond the span of his time on earth.

Survived by wife, Joy; children: Brad (Lee Anne), Jennifer (Rob) Long, Rachel (Josiah) Warren, Jolene Simpson; eight grandchildren: Payton, Hannah, Hailey, Malayna, Hayden, Sawyer, Elsie, Emma, siblings Claire (Gary) Williams, Nancy (Ron) Schutte, Dean (Anita) Simpson, Jerry (Rita) Petsch, Jack Petsch, Jeff Petsch, Robbie Wademan; mother-in-law, Wilma Petsch; nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Celebration Service was June 1, 2018,  Friday, 10:30 a.m., at the Gretna United Methodist Church, 11457 S 204th St., Gretna, Nebraska. 
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family to be distributed amongst Ken's favorite charities.

ROEDER MORTUARY - Gretna Chapel 11710 Standing Stone Dr.
402-332-0090
www.RoederMortuary.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Simpson, please visit our floral store.