Nedra Rose (Heimer) Simpkins, 62, of Garden City, Kansas, died April 3, 2009, at Presbyterian Saint Luke Hospital, Denver, Colorado.

She was born October 19, 1946, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of Wilton B. (Bud) and Lola R. Winkler Heimer. At the age of three she contracted Polio which left her with health problems off and on the rest of her life.

Nedra graduated from Jetmore High School in 1964 and then Fort Hays State College in 1968 with a Bachelor's of Science in Education. She also pursued a Master's of Library Science. She taught kindergarden and second grade and worked as a district librarian in USD #457 of Garden City, Kansas, for almost 30 years.

A member of her local teacher's association, GCEA, she served as president, co-president, secretary and state delegate. She was also GCEA's NEA's national representative to national conventions in Dallas, Texas, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a charter member of the Garden City's Beta Zeta Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an educational sorority, serving as historian, vice-president, president and also chairing on many committees. She was also a member of Kansas Association of School Librarians and the American Association of University Women. She was also active in El Zurape, a local group of retired school teachers from Garden City, Kansas.

She enjoyed crossword puzzles, sudoko, reading, television and growing flowers and herbs, bird watching, and collecting recipes.

On January 5, 1985, she married Wayne L. Simpkins in Garden City, Kansas,

Survivors include: her husband, Wayne L. Simpkins, Garden City, Kansas; a daughter, Sonya Simpkins, Denver, Colorado; her mother, Lola R. Heimer, Jetmore, Kansas; a brother, Jim Heimer and his wife Pat, Littleton, Colorado; her niece, Christine Witherspoon, Colorado Spring, Colorado; and her nephew, Ryan Heimer; Wichita, Kansas, along with many cousins and their families.

She was preceded in death by her father, W.B. (Bud) Heimer and three infant brothers.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Jetmore with Rev. Marvin Ewertt officiating. Burial will follow at the Fairmont Cemetery in Jetmore, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to the Friends of the Lee Richardson Zoo, the Garden City Community College's Scholarship Fund, or the Post Polio Foundation in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.beckwithfuneralhome.com.