ALVA, Okla. — Our beloved Mother and Nonnie, Bonnie (Leatherman) Simpson slipped away to join her heavenly father March 1, 2018. She was the daughter of Hazel Margaret Leatherman and the late Wesley Walter Leatherman. She was born Oct. 17, 1945 in Alva, OK. She now joins her father in eternal peace.
Bonnie attended Capron High School and was in the graduating class of 1963. After high school, she attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where she received her Bachelors in Teaching. She went on to further her education and received her Master’s Degree in Teaching in 1973.
Upon receiving her degrees, she began her teacher career in Fowler, KS where she taught two years at the Elementary School. Then went on to teach at Ness City Elementary for 16 years. Bonnie then went on to complete her 42 year career in teaching at Kenneth Henderson Middle School in Garden City, KS.
She commanded her classrooms with a sense of purpose and fostered a creative environment in which to learn. Bonnie loved her students and always had a passion for teaching. She always said that it was her lifelong dream to become an educator.
During her teaching career, she was actively involved with the Art, Science and Space Exploration programs for her students. Bonnie was a hands on educator and strived for excellence in all of her students. She left a legacy of brilliant students, who went on to achieve personal and professional success. Bonnie also loved the arts and enjoyed doing oil painting, drawing, and teaching in galleries and local institutions.
Bonnie married Jack Howard Simpson in 1968. Together they had one daughter, Katherine Elizabeth Simpson/Keller. She has a son in law, Curtis Michael Keller and has three beautiful grandchildren who called her Nonnie: Elizabeth Jane Keller age 8, Emma Katherine Keller age 6 and Evan Michael Keller 8 months. She so loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart.
She is survived by her mother, Hazel, brother Charles and daughter Katherine, son in law Curtis and three grandchildren. And other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Friends and family can leave condolences at whartonfc@sbcglobal.net. Flowers or donations can be sent to Wharton Funeral Home in Alva, OK.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Wharton Funeral Home
1302 Oklahoma Blvd.
Alva, OK 73717
Great Bend (Kans.) Tribune, Tuesday, March 6, 2018