Judy Rae Simpson

Judy Rae (Hall) Simpson, the daughter of Paul and Nyle (Spieler) Hall, was born May 26, 1935 in Lincoln, Nebraska and died on December 11, 2019 in Exira, Iowa at the age of 84 years, 6 months and 15 days.

Judy was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and moved to Exira in 1947 where Paul operated the Hall’s Ben Franklin store. She graduated with the Exira High School class of 1953. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Nebraska and Iowa State University. While in college, she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Robert Lafayette Simpson on September 9, 1956 at the Federated United Church of Christ in Exira, Iowa. Four children: Ben, Sally, Susie and Thomas were born to this union. Judy, Robert and Ben spent time in Germany while Robert served in the U.S. Army and later lived for several years in Strawberry Point, Lisbon and Sigourney, Iowa. In 1975 they moved back to the Simpson family farm in Brayton, Iowa and later enjoyed retirement in Exira, Iowa.

Judy was a Girl Scout Leader for many years while living in Sigourney. She always enjoyed a good game of cards, especially Pinochle, Bridge and Blackjack. She was a member of several Bridge clubs. Judy was also an avid reader and was known to frequent the libraries in Sigourney and Exira. And of course, she was the #1 Nebraska Cornhusker football fan, often yelling and screaming even while listening to games on the radio. In addition, Judy and Robert were frequent visitors to Las Vegas and Elko, Nevada as well as the casinos in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Robert Simpson; and her aunt Mary H. Robinson.

Survivors include her children, Robert Benjamin “Ben” Simpson, Susie Simpson both of Exira, Iowa, Thomas and wife Kristi Simpson of Brayton, Iowa and Sally and husband Jay Rajcevich of Moreno Valley, California; her grandchildren, Justice Simpson and fiancé Becca Lee both of Fort Collins, Colorado, Jaimie Rajcevich of Scottsdale, Arizona, Kasie Simpson and fiancé Calvin Muhr of Adair, Iowa, Kathryn Rajcevich and Spencer Slattery both of North Liberty, Iowa and Tate and wife Riley Simpson of Adel, Iowa; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted by Reverend Nancy Jensen on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa. The family will greet friends on Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira. Casket bearers will be Ben Simpson, Tommy Simpson, Jay Rajcevich, Justice Simpson, Tate Simpson and April Dennis.