Jo Ellen Simpson

JO ELLEN SIMPSON

Cedar Rapids

On Monday, July 7, 2014, Jo Ellen Kelley Simpson, 59, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, at her home in Oswego, Ill. She was born Jan. 31, 1955, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Joseph Henry and Ellen Anne

Lockwood Kelley.

Growing up in the Kelley family, there were many events and get-togethers with extended family that included great food, fun, games and sports. While attending Wilson Middle School, Jo enjoyed many hours with the Sokol Club gymnastics team and with her swim team, but she still found time for additional club activities and even a part in the school musical.

At Jefferson High School, Jo stayed active in gymnastics, swimming, cheerleading and school vocational and academic clubs. She excelled at swimming, becoming state champion individually in the 50-meter freestyle and as part of a team in the 200-meter relay. In 1985, she was inducted into the Iowa High School Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame for her achievements.

Jo graduated from Iowa State in 1977, with a B.S. degree in child development. While in school she was a member of AOPi Sorority. At ISU, she also met her future husband, Bruce Simpson. Her swimming success continued in college, where she competed on two Big 8 Conference champion relay teams in 1974 and 1975.

Jo taught preschool special education in Maquoketa before moving on to second grade and kindergarten at Hinckley Big Rock Schools. She married Bruce in 1979.

While teaching was still her passion, Jo took a break from work to devote energy to her family. During those years, she focused on supporting her three young daughters. To encourage their many interests, Jo developed new talents as a Girl Scout leader, soccer coach and elementary school "Picture Lady." She was always her daughters' greatest fan, cheerleader and advocate.

Somehow, Jo still made time to meet dear friends at the Oswego Presbyterian Church Bible study, plant perennial gardens, cook, sew with the Quilters Guild, create at Craft Club and collect through Boulder Hill Antique Club.

After her daughters began school, Jo taught kindergarten at Boulder Hill School in Oswego District 308 for 16 years. Her commitment to making learning fun while teaching students the skills to read and write were evident to all who knew her. Not one to keep the same lesson plans year after year Jo was continually improving – always striving to excite her students through new and creative ideas.

Jo is survived by her husband of 35 years, Bruce Simpson of Oswego; daughters, Casie, Shanna and Tara Simpson, all of Oswego; sisters, Colleen Kelley of Cedar Rapids and Kathy Telecky (Russ) of Cedar Rapids; brothers, Tim Kelley (Sharon) of St. Louis, Mo., and Larry Kelley (Clara Newberry) of Cedar Rapids; father-in-law, Fred Simpson of Tucson, Ariz.; brother-in-law, Craig Simpson (Regan); many nieces, nephews, students and friends; and her faithful companion, Kallie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Henry and Ellen Anne Lockwood Kelley; mother-in-law, Mary Lee Simpson; and brother-in-law, Mark Simpson.

The family is extremely grateful for the care provided by doctors, nurses and caregivers from The University of Chicago Medical Center and Vitas Hospice during her battle with cancer.

A gathering of family and friends will take place Friday, July 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Dunn Family Funeral Home with Crematory, 1801 S. Douglas Rd., Oswego, IL 60543. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 12, at Oswego Presbyterian Church, 1976 St. Rt. 25, Oswego, IL 60543. Burial will follow at Pearce Cemetery in Oswego.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a scholarship fund in Jo's name or to Lungevity. For information, contact (630) 554-3888 or www.dunn family funeralhome.com.