Alva Review-Courier -

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, Oklahoma. She now joins her father in eternal peace.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Alva with Pastor Aaron Wagner officiating. Interment will be in the Capron Cemetery. Wharton Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be made online at http://www.whartonfuneralchapel.com.

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 teaching career in Fowler, Kansas, where she taught two years at the elementary school. She taught 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, Kansas. 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 strove 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; daughter Katherine, son-in-law Curtis; three grandchildren; and other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Friends and family can leave condolences at [email protected]. Flowers or donations can be sent to Wharton Funeral Chapel in Alva.