Elsie M. Simms-Vincent, 83, of Kimball, died at the Kimball County Manor on June 14, 2025. Cremation has taken place. The inurnment will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Kimball Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held following the inurnment at 3:00 at the First English Lutheran Church in Kimball, Randy Bohac will officiate both services. Friends may visit www.cantrellfh.com to view Elsie’s Tribute Wall and share stories and condolences with the family. Memorials may be given in her memory to the Kimball Public Library or the Kimball Ministerial Association. The services for Elsie have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.
A Nebraska girl through and through, Elsie Marie Dietz was born on August 26, 1941, and raised on a “south divide” farm in Kimball County. Her parents, Herman and Maxine Dietz, made many trips across the state to ensure their newborn received the best treatment for her dislocated hips. Having spent months of infancy and her toddler years in casts, Elsie often reflected on the sacrifices her parents made so she could walk and thrive.
Elsie graduated from Kimball County High School in 1958 and enrolled in the nursing program at Scottsbluff for a semester. She soon met Gene Simms while he worked in the DJ Basin oilfields. They married on February 14, 1959, and welcomed their first daughter, Robin Sue, later that same year. A second daughter, Jodelle, arrived in 1960, and baby Leslie Jean followed in 1962. Elsie and Gene worked hard to raise a family, build a business, and work the quarter section of land where the family lived and prospered. Elsie worked as a bookkeeper, seamstress for her girls, and preserved food from their garden - a full and satisfying life!
Eventually the family purchased and settled on a farm north of town. Sadly, Elsie was left to tend the farm and nurture her three teenage girls alone when Gene passed away on January 11, 1978, after a battle with brain cancer. Elsie rose to the occasion, however, by studying and becoming a licensed insurance agent. She spent over 20 years proudly building her State Farm Insurance agency. To this day her family still laughs and says, “Hello, State Farm?” when an accident or mishap occurs.
Elsie married speech and language pathologist, Milan Nore, in 1982. The happy couple enjoyed traveling and concerts until Milan’s untimely and unexpected death on June 14, 1986. Although short, their marriage was filled with a true and deep love.
In November 1992, Elsie married Ken Vincent, her partner for the rest of her life. Together they enjoyed concerts, travel, square dancing, camping, and serving the Lord and His people. They worked together at the church and loved being with their children, grandchildren, and other family members. Elsie’s particular passion was worship through music, and she was a lifelong member of First English Lutheran Church in Kimball where she directed the choir as well as played organ and piano for over 65 years.
Elsie was a leader in her community serving on countless Boards including Panhandle Mental Health, Chamber of Commerce, and Community Concert Association. She served diligently on the Housing Authority Board to bring the dream of Vista Villa to life. Elsie also volunteered at Kimball County Manor, contributing music and song. She spent many hours supporting the Kimball Food Pantry, mentoring in the Teammates program, and providing music accompaniment for hundreds of weddings and funerals.
Elsie is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Kenneth R. Vincent; daughters Robin Tjosvold (Steve McIntyre), Laramie, WY; Jodelle (Kim) Keeler, Kimball, NE; Leslie Day (Tonya Haggard), Cheyenne, WY. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren Mitchell (Beth), Mason, Barrett Brown; Preston (Jacey), Avery, Sutton, Bennett Brown; Brock Tjosvold; Grant (Allie) Keeler; Janelle (Joshua), Graceyn, Mager, Sunny Clayman; Lindsey (Luke), Brynn, Lennon, Archer, Vivian Maas; Sanford Day; Audrey Day. Children through marriage Jonathan Mark (Gwen) Simms, Edmond, OK and Nathan Luke Simms, Oklahoma City, OK; Gary Vincent, Kimball, NE; Robert (Fawney) Vincent, Kimball, NE; Michael Vincent, Buckeye, AZ; Grandchildren through marriage Conner (Jamilyn) and great-grandchild Dolly Vincent, Pine Bluffs WY; Ryan Vincent; Madison Vincent. Brothers Harley Dietz, Kimball, NE; David Dietz, Lincoln, NE. Sisters-in-law Shirley Dietz, Mission, TX; JoAnn Dietz, Kimball, NE. and many loving nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Herman August Dietz and Maxine Blanche (Bellman) Dietz, brothers James Dietz and Dale Dietz, infant brother Charles Herman Dietz; Sisters-in-law Christine Dietz and Merceda Dietz; daughter through marriage Gina Patricia Simms McGinley.
