LoErna P. Simpson

LoErna Charlene Koch Palmer Simpson, born September 12 1939, peacefully passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on October 13 2018 in Albany Oregon Evergreen Hospice House. LoErna was born September 12, 1939 to Ernest and Lola Koch in Newton, Kansas. She graduated from Sedgewick High School (Sedgewick, KS) in 1957. She obtained a bachelor’s degree at Friends University (Wichita, KS), followed with a Master’s degree in Clothing and Textiles Education from Kansas State University in 1963. As a single parent, LoErna then completed a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in 1981 at Texas Women’s University (Denton, TX) in Textiles, Clothing and Textile Science. She spent time as an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, Oregon State University, and Bassist College (OR). She was published many times in peer-reviewed publications. LoErna married Thomas Harold Palmer in 1963. She and Tom had three children; Laura (1966), Larry (1968) and Tammy (1974). In 1983, she married James E. Simpson in Lexington Kentucky, adding 3 adult step-children (Jeannie, Greg and Remy) to the family. Her international travels included annual summer-long visits to Oman or Egypt to visit Egyptian-American grandchildren Mahassan, Raslan and Sumayah. Never missing an opportunity, add-on excursions would then take her and Jim to India, Thailand, China, Switzerland, Russia, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Iran, Iraq and several other countries. LoErna’s long-standing passion was textiles, quilting and international hand-woven rugs. She was known as “The Rug Lady” in Corvallis, Oregon for the quality Persian rugs that she obtained for yearly rug sales. LoErna was a strong Methodist, with progressive and accepting views of people. She was proud to have served First United Methodist Church in Corvallis Oregon on many local and state committees. She was part of the congregation that supported refugee families, and growing into a Reconciling Congregation. She had a passionate interest in peaceful activism. She practiced, lived, rallied, and supported her beliefs with action. She either spearheaded or actively participated in the following: Corvallis Raging Grannies, United Methodist Oregon-Idaho Holy Land Task Force, Pinwheels for Peace (Corvallis, for International Day of Peace), Amnesty International (Corvallis) letter writing campaigns, Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), and other Peace and Social Justice causes. Passing before her is her mother and father, Ernest Koch and Lola Basore Koch of Sedgewick Kansas. She is survived by her younger brother, John Koch, of Garland Texas. She is also survived by her children Laura Welch (husband, Scott) in West Virginia, Larry Palmer (wife, Beth) in Houston Texas, and Tammy Palmer in Albany Oregon; and her step-children Jeannie Samdani in Lyndon Kentucky and Remy Simpson in Lexington Kentucky. LoErna has 5 grandchildren: college students Connie Palmer and Mitchell Palmer (Houston Texas); Mahassan Godar (Rineyville Kentucky), Raslan (Rus) Godar (Corvallis Oregon), Sumayah Godar (Lyndon, Kentucky). A Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 am, Saturday December 15 at the First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave, Corvallis Oregon 97330. A celebration reception will follow in the church library. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in LoErna’s honor to a favorite cause, “Faith in Action Teams”, at the First United Methodist Church, Corvallis, using the address above. Memories of LoErna may be shared by visiting www.demossdurdan.com and selecting the obituary. DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home has been assisting the family during this difficult time.

LoErna P. Simpson

September 12, 1939 - October 13, 2018