Betty Lorraine Brower Simkins, 89

Our beloved mother, sister, grandmother and friend, Betty Lorraine Brower Simkins, passed away at the age of 89 on Dec. 17, 2021, in the Hospice of North Idaho home, located in Coeur d’Alene Idaho. She was born on April 16, 1932, in Kellogg, Idaho, just an hour short of her mother Elvira Walker’s birthday. Mom weighed just over 4 pounds and was the first daughter and third child of 14 children born to Elvira Walker (1908 –1971) and Jacob Lorenzo Brower (1906-1990). 

Mom married James Frederick Simkins on December 5, 1950, at Thompson Falls Montana. They were later sealed in the Cardston, Alberta, Temple on June 19, 1965. Initially they lived with dad's grandpa and grandma, Hans and Mae Jepson, before they got their own place. 

In our eyes, Mom could do it all. We’ll forever remember her warm, homemade bread, her bottled venison, fruit, cherries, salsa, pickled beans and beets. All this to help make ends meet. Often she would enter canning competitions and earned many awards including “Best of Fair.”

Mom’s talents went far beyond homemaking and raising four children. She went back to school in 1962 to earn her college degree. Mom became a teacher and was able to supplement our family’s income, teaching full time at Idaho Hill. When our family moved to Warden, Washington, Mom continued to teach for another 28 years, until retiring. After moving back to Priest River, Idaho, she tutored and assisted children and adults into her late 80s.

In 1976, mom was named Washington state Mother of the Year. Mom and dad went to Washington, D.C., and met President Ford while she was being honored for this award.

Mom was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in many leadership and teaching positions. She loved her Savior and lived a Christ-centered life, exemplifying His teachings. Next to being with family, Mom’s favorite place to be was in the Temple. 

The day of dad’s funeral service, Mom announced that she was going to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served her first mission in Salt Lake City, at the Family History Center. She later returned to serve five additional family history missions for the church.

Mom was an enormous blessing to everyone who knew her. She was always serving those in her church, community, and family. She loved supporting and providing food for the soup kitchen, held at the Senior Citizens Center and she also taught the exercise class there. She was active in the Happy Agers, Lions Club and Kiwanis Club. 

Mom, thank you for your light, love and example. It blessed all our lives. 

Lorraine’s surviving family include: children Jim Simkins (Tina), Lorene Simkins and Rhonda Wood (Kent). 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. 

She is also survived by her sisters, Joy Reynolds, Jennice Severson (Duane), Oradell Triplett, Linda Maravilla (Tony), and Debbie Skinner (Mike); and brothers, Jerrold Brower (Esther), John Brower, and Lon Brower (Lynn).

Lorraine is preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim; two children, Ricky Dean (deceased in 1972) and Darla Mae (Rhonda’s identical twin who was stillborn in 1956); her parents, five brothers, Ted, Milton, Bruce, Bob, and Richard Dean; and two great-granddaughters.

We would like to extend our heart-felt appreciation to all who loved and supported Mom these last few years. This includes the Brower family, the Happy Agers, her exercise class, many community service groups, neighbors, the Priest River Ward, the Warden Ward, and a multitude of friends.

Mom loved all of you — and we do too.

Funeral services will be held Saturday January 8, at noon at the Priest River Ward LDS Chapel, located at 3281 U.S. 2, Priest River. Mom will be laid to rest next to our dad in the Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River. For those who feel inclined feel free to donate to your local food banks in lieu of flowers. 

Family will gather prior to the services from 11:30 to 11:50 a.m. in the Relief Society room at the same building for family prayer. There will not be a viewing. 

Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Priest River is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com.