OVERTON — Rita Marie Simpson, Overton, Kan., died at home Jan. 10, 2025, after courageously fighting ALS for nearly two years. Visitation will be Jan. 17, from 5-7 p.m., at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Overton, with a rosary to follow at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Jan. 18, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Lexington, with Father Jose Chavez, officiating. Rita requested that she be cremated, and inurnment will be conducted at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Reynolds-Love Funeral Home, Lexington. Rita was born Oct. 29, 1953, in Pender, to Merlyn and Mary Sue (Schmiedeskamp) Weddingfeld. As a young child, her family moved to Hartington, where she attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and Cedar Catholic High School, graduating 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, Lexington; District 15, rural Dawson County; and Elwood Public Schools, where she impacted the lives of hundreds of her students. She retired from teaching in 2018, 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 2023.

While teaching in Newcastle, Robby Simpson entered into her life. They married June 15, 1985, in Hartington. 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 and sports, and 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-inlaw.

Rita is survived by her husband, Rob, Overton; daughter, Ashlee Simpson, Las Vegas, Nev.; son, Nathan (Ashley) Simpson, Cozad; grandchildren, Kennedy and Jordan Simpson, Cozad; sister, Mary Fran (Michael) Courtney, Las Vegas, Nev.; brothers, David Weddingfeld, Las Vegas, Nev.; John (Sarah) Weddingfeld, Blue Hill; James (Deb) Weddingfeld, Yankton, S.D.; and Ray Weddingfeld, Las Vegas, Nev.; brother and sister-in-law, BJ (Terri) Simpson, Shenandoah, Iowa; Cyndi (Steve) Lortz, Lincoln; Terri (Jim) Gustafson, Lincoln; and Lori (Mark) Mares, Burwell; along with numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are kindly suggested to ALS in the Heartland or Team Gleason.