HOISINGTON — Irene Elizabeth Simmons, 95, died June 15, 2014 at Great Bend Regional Hospital.
Born July 18, 1918, in Hoisington, she was the daughter of Henry and Amalia “Molly” (Schneider) Nuss. On March 30, 1940, she married Wayne Edward Ensle in Hoisington and was later divorced. She then married Lester Oakley on Oct. 15, 1951, in Hoisington. Lester passed away on Nov. 17, 1957. She then married Kenneth Arthur Simmons on May 21, 1966, in Great Bend. Kenneth passed away May 16, 1973.
A lifetime resident of Hoisington, she was employed by the Hoisington Public Library and Cornerstone Interiors.
Mrs. Simmons was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church, Life Member of LWML, and was the Supervising Judge for the Election Board, serving in Ward 1 for 48 years. She also served as the treasurer for Victory EHU for 14 years and was the last surviving charter member of the Hoisington Hospital Auxiliary, helping to organize it in 1953.
Survivors include two sons, Ron Ensle and wife Janice, Topeka; and Charles Alan Oakley and wife Julie, Midland, Texas; a brother, Gene “Skeets” Nuss and wife Mary Jane, Lawrence; a step son, Kenneth Aaron Simmons and wife Carol, Guthrie, Okla.; six grandchildren, Richard Ward, Steven Ensle, Scott Ensle, Greta Miller, Danny Ensle, and Erik Oakley; two step-grandchildren, Colin Simmons and Kari Tompkins; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharon Louise Ward; four brothers, Elmer “Lee” Nuss, Clarence “Red” Nuss, Robert “Bob” Nuss, Glenn Nuss; and one sister, Lucille Chaffee.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Hoisington with the Rev. Mark Lovett officiating. Burial will be at the Hoisington Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. today at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to, Lutheran Braille Workers or Clara Barton Hospital Auxiliary, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.


Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home*
415 N. Main
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS, 67544
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, June 17, 2014