Beverly J. Simpson

Beverly Jean Plude Simpson died peacefully at Taylor House on Sunday, April 7, 2024, after a short illness. Bev was born on March 2, 1928, the third of five children of Louis and Myrtle (Randolph) Plude. She graduated from East Des Moines High in January of 1946. It was at East where she met the love of her life, Richard E. (Dick) Simpson. They were married on May 31, 1946, and blessed with four daughters. They enjoyed 68 years of marriage before Dick’s death in 2015.

Bev was employed by Bruce Motor Freight in the personnel and accounts payable departments and, after they were sold, began an 18-year career in the personnel department of UPS. Between raising her daughters and working, Bev enjoyed creating items by crocheting, knitting, embroidery, and counted cross-stitch. A set of embroidered tea towels was a special gift that all of her family treasured. She was a member of Simpson United Methodist Church for 66 years, serving on many committees and enjoying the fellowship of Mary/Martha Circle. When Bev was no longer driving, she began attending Union Park United Methodist Church with friends at Rose Glen.

Bev had a special relationship with each of her nine grandchildren and looked forward to the annual Cookie Day, when they all gathered to frost her homemade cut-out sugar cookies, sing carols, roast hot dogs in the fireplace, decorate the Christmas tree, and watch The Sound of Music. The Friday after Thanksgiving tradition has continued through her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She frosted cookies this year with all family who could attend and was even caught licking the frosting from her knife.

Bev was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her parents; and her siblings, Tom, Lillian, and Dick. Those left to honor Bev’s memory include her brother, Lou (Susan) Plude of Pleasantville; daughters, Candace (Dave) Bair of Des Moines, Judy (Rick) Pertzborn of West Des Moines, Penni (Mike) McKinley of Ankeny, and Barb (Rick) Blane of West Des Moines; nine grandchildren, Jennifer Pertzborn Moulton, Sarah Pertzborn Powell, Erik Bair, Matthew Pertzborn, Allison Bair, Anne Pertzborn Schapman, Ryan Blane, Keyea Meyer Fowles, and Cory Blane; 21 great-grandchildren; and many special nieces, nephews, and her dear friends at Rose Glen at Luther Park where Bev lived the last 18 years.

The family will greet friends on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, Iowa. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Simpson United Methodist Church, 2600 Capitol Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. Interment of Bev and Dick’s cremains will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Bev’s memory can be made to UnityPoint Taylor House Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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