A Homecoming Celebration will take place for Marie Margarite Sylvia Simpson on Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford, SD. Marie was escorted in by Gods angels through the Gates of Glory and was greeted by Jesus and all her loved ones that went before her on Sunday, March 14.

Visitation at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford, SD will be on Friday, March 19 from 5-7 p.m followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Marie Margarite Sylvia Johnson Simpson was born on July 13, 1920 to John and Anna Johnson in Beresford. Her mother Anna and baby brother died when she was three years old. Her moms cousin, Julia moved from Irene, SD to help her father raise her, along with her grandfather. As a young child, she attended Roseni Lutheran Church where she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was Born-Again, and developed her faith. At the age of seven, her father and Julia moved to Arcadia, Iowa where they lived, until age 13 when her father died. Marie and Julia then moved to California where she continued to walk out her Christian faith. Marie graduated from Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, California.

Marie returned to Beresford, South Dakota in 1947, where she met Elroy Simpson at Elroys sister Judys birthday party. They were married on January 1, 1949 and birthed nine children. Their first child, a baby girl, died at child birth. Elroy and Marie were married 38 years when Elroy was ushered by the angels into Gods presence on September 18, 1987. Marie continued walking out her love for the Lord and love for people by serving at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, visiting residents at Bethesda Nursing home with Nyla Miller playing the piano and Nyla and Marie singing to the residents, sending non-stop prayers to heaven for her children, grandchildren and friends. Another one of moms best friends was Bertha Johnson.

In 1989, at the age of 69, she backpacked in Norway, Sweden, Germany, & Denmark with daughters Jan and Shirley. In 1998 she traveled to Israel with daughters, Jan and Shirley. They were all baptized in the Jordan River and walked where Jesus walked, and visited the spot where Jesus will return someday soon. Marie moved up to Rogers, MN in 2000 and lived with daughter, Lindy and her family. In March of 2009, she moved to Augustana Nursing Home in Hastings, MN. Throughout her years in the cities, Marie continued to attend church, enjoyed worshiping the Lord, and sharing her faith until she was ushered by the angels into Gods presence for eternity on March 14 at 5:12 p.m. (Mathew 5:12).

Maries eight children and spouses, 23 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren are as follows: John (Sharon) Simpson and children Brian (Angie), David, Christy, Tina, Josh, Tom, Tiffany, Larry, and Anthony; Daryl (Sandy) Simpson and children Steve (Merredith) and Julie (John); Jan Simpson; Dwight (Judy) Simpson and children Merredith (Steve), Sarah (Clint) and Ian; Shirley (Robert) Poelstra and children Josh and Tara; Sandy Simpson; Lindy (Paul) Burggraff and children Amanda, Adam, and Anna; Larry (Joan) Simpson and children Levi, Joseph, Noelle, and Samuel. Her seven great-grandchildren are Tyler, Brandon, and Aaron Koupal (parents John and Julie); Carter and Grace Simpson (parents Brian and Angie); Jaxon and Reagan Donahue (parents Steve and Merredith). Also surviving are numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-neices and cousin Janice Gibson (Montebello, California).