Wasco County OR Archives Obituaries.....Simpkins, Velma December 10, 2004Written permission to reprint given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles,
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Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com April 5, 2006, 2:27 pm

The Dalles Chronicle, December 14, 2004
     Velma Simpkins, 72, a resident of Skamania and a former resident of The 
Dalles, died in Camas on Dec. 10, 2004.
     She was born Velma Lillian Hare to Ada (Auker) and Albert Hare on March 
1, 1932 in Billings, Mont. At age 8 she moved with her family to The Dalles.
She married Don Wetmore. He died in 1961. On Aug. 10, 1963 she married Linnard 
Simpkins in The Dalles.
     In 1967, they moved to Clarkston, Wash., where she worked as a credit 
manager for Sears. The family settled in Skamania Landing in 1976.
Her husband owned and operated the Simpkins Highway House on Highway 14.
     She was active in the community, serving on the board of the Skamania 
County Community Foundation and as a member of the Star of the Sea Catholic 
Church. She sang in the church choir and at one time was the choir leader.
     In 1951 she competed in the Stars of Tomorrow singing competition in 
Oregon but was snowbound in The Dalles on the final day of competition after 
tying another woman for first place.
     She enjoyed bird watching and dancing.
     Survivors include her husband, Linnard, Skamania; son, Colin Simpkins, 
Stevenson; daughter, Linda Wood, Battleground, Wash. son, Phillip Wetmore, 
Houston, Texas; stepdaughter, Linnarda D. Simpkins, Lake Chelan, Wash.; 
stepsons Rocky Simpkins, Wenatchee, Wash.; and Payton Simpkins, Yacolt, Wash.; 
sister, Doris Goss, Reno, Nev.; seven grandchildren and six great-
grandchildren.
     She was preceded in death by brothers Patrick and Bert Hare and sister 
Jeanette Bisland.
     Funeral services will be Friday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. at Star of the Sea 
Catholic Church in Stevenson with Fr. Derek Lappe officiating. There will be a 
vigil at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the church.
     A private inurnment will take place at a later date. Gardner Funeral Home 
of White Salmon/Stevenson was in care of arrangements. Visit www.gardnerfh.com 
to send condolences to and share memories with the family.


Additional Comments:
Written permission to reprint given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, 
Oregon, Dan Spatz, Editor (e-mail dated 3/7/2006).


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