Glenna Gaile Simpson
October 27, 1928 ~ July 5, 2014
Glenna Gaile Simpson, 85, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Saturday, July 5, 2014, from a long illness. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 2814 West Post Rd. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. Survivors include her daughter, Wanda (Ron) Detert; son, Steven (Rijuan) McDaniel, all of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Ina Bell of Colorado; and several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Glenna was born October 27, 1928, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Orin and Delpha (Kelly) Bell. Following graduation from Hedrick High School near her hometown of Ottumwa, she married Harold McDaniel and had three children, Mary, Wanda, and Steve, before divorcing in 1955. She then married Lawrence Matthews and had a son, James, and later divorcing. Glenna was then married to George Simpson, and later divorcing. Following her retirement of 30 years from Rockwell Collins, she went on to deliver motor homes coast to coast and lending help to the elderly with housekeeping chores and errands. She also spent many happy years as a co-owner of a charter salmon fishing boat in Racine, Wisconsin and competed in the Salmon-A-Rama. Glenna also loved her trips to Minnesota for bullheads and put many happy miles on her motorhome. In 1989, Glenna relocated to her beloved Arizona, living in Verde Valley for a time before settling in Peoria for over 18 years. Each summer she like to return to Cedar Rapids to visit with her family and friends. She also welcomed her family and friends to Arizona and loved to serve as a tour guide on her many trips to the Grand Canyon and her other favorite sites. She fulfilled her retirement with many trips around the world including Alaska, New Zealand, Australia, and Hawaii. Glenna was a longtime member of both the Eagles Club and Moose Lodge in Cedar Rapids and Peoria. Following an illness in 2008, she returned to Cedar Rapids and resided with her granddaughter, Rachel and daughter, Wanda, until her passing. Glenna was a very caring and generous woman who will be sadly missed, but so very fondly remembered. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Donald and Glenn Bell; sister, Lahoma Griffioen Geary; daughter, Mary Bartachek; and son, James Matthews.
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She was my great grandma. I loved and took care of her just like she did to me. See ya later GG.
Our Deepest Sympathy to the family. She had a heart of gold and was a very loving and caring person.
Grandma my heart weighs heavy and fills empty. You are my bestest friend and was always there for me. You molded me to the person I am today. I learned to be strong, to love with all my heart and to stay the person you are you took care of me for my 34 years and I am very proud to be the one to take care of you. I love you with all my heart and you will be very deeply missed. You were my rock and always my shoulder. .
I barely knew her nd she barely knew me but ik in my heart I knew her very well…… she was my grandma nd that is all thts matters to me…. nd nobody can say anything to change that love u lots GG
Kael’s Birth
On August 14th 3:30ish in the morning I called Grandma because she was going to be in delivery room with me for birth of my 2nd child. She was so excited. My mom picked her up and the soon arrived at the hospital. She stayed with me the whole time. During delivery she was cracking jokes like ‘more fun going in than coming out’ and more laughter. Joke after joke. She was there to hold him first and I will never forget how exhausted she was and she had told me her stomach hurt cause she was pushing with me. That women was always there for me. Love you
Mom— You were My best Friend, besides My sister Mary; now I’ve lost both of you to talk to. I will try to remember all the words of wisdom and will certainly remember all the loving kindnesses you have shown to me and to many other people.
Whenever someone needed a hand in the family, you were there. Especially in those times of trouble, you dropped everything to be of help. You worked so hard to raise us kids and you leave us with so many fond memories, like midnite picnics by headlights and when getting lost on trips, you said that we were off exploring. No matter how tired you were, you would get down on the floor to play and read the comics with us as small children. I hope that My life will be a reflection of the light I saw in you and cast my light out to others. Till I can see you again, I will hold you in my heart!!
Trip 1993
Grandma took me back home with her as part of her “therapy” after loosing my aunt. I had the best 8 weeks down there. Grandma took me ALL over. But when we did stick around home we would be up very late like 12-1 and she would want to bake a cake and when it was in the oven we would run up and get ice cream. We would stay up late and chat and then get up when we wanted to relax and chat. We talked so much that summer and I saw so much it was awesome. I will never forget Prescot, AZ and going to Flagstaff.
Grandma Missing you like crazy. Going thru photos has been my therapy. I love you and missing you.