Deneece O. Simpson

Salina, Utah – Our kind and loving Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, sister and best friend, DeNeece Okerlund Simpson, age 78, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly after a very brief illness on March 15, 2021 in Provo. She was born April 5, 1942 in Salina, a daughter of Orson Dent and Thelma E. Nielsen Okerlund. She graduated from North Sevier High School, Class of 1960. DeNeece married the love of her life, Stanley Leon Simpson January 21, 1961 in Salina, Utah. Their marriage was solemnized in the Manti LDS Temple January 29, 1972. Stan preceded her in death on January 23, 2017. DeNeece had this saying on her wall, “Birth is an act of nature, Adoption is an act of God.” Unable to bear children, DeNeece and Stan adopted a baby boy and a baby girl. They were wonderful parents and one would never of known those kids weren’t their biological children. DeNeece worked for many years at the Drug Store in Salina, where she got to meet and become acquainted with many of the local Salina folks. She also was the custodian for the LDS Church in Salina for many years, cleaning and taking care of the ward houses. DeNeece is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She worked in the Primary for 25 years, starting as a teacher when she was 18 years old. She served as Primary President, Primary Teacher, Young Women’s President, Relief Society President for five years and Compassionate Service Leader for many, many years. She loved serving people and always had a smile to share. She was the “Mother” to many, many Little League Baseball Players, The Eagles. Stan was their coach for over 41 years and DeNeece was their mother. DeNeece enjoyed walking, crocheting, knitting, playing cards, mowing lawns and taking Fluffy, her dog, to the park. She especially enjoyed her lunch bunch friends, meeting with them for lunch, laughing and joking and just enjoying life. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her two children, Kevin Simpson of Logan; Lori and Trent Hallows of Salina; a sister, LaDawn and Joe McGee of Provo and a sister-in-law, Viola Larsen of St. George. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 12 Noon in the Salina LDS Stake Center, where friends may call for viewing Thursday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial will be in the Salina Eastside Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.