Miss Blankenmeister was my teacher in the third and fourth grade at Kennard  in 1953 and 1954.  She treated me very nice and I had a strong boyhood crush on her.  My love for her continued to grow until she announced to our class that she was getting married.  That was a shock to me and I became very depressed.  After she returned to our class as Mrs. Simpson, I found that she hadn't changed at all, meaning I could share her with her new husband, and her name was easier to spell also.  She did start me on my violin career.  As a beginner, I practiced every night on the A & B chords and she picked me for a city wide concert.  My parents wondered how I could be in a city wide concert knowing only two notes, Miss Blankenmeister (Mrs Simpson) said I was picked for my form and intensity and no one would hear me anyway.  I have been writing my autobiography for years including the influence she had on me in Chapter 4 - Mickey Goes to School.  I tracked her down a few years ago and sent her my paragraphs I had written about her, which she returned to me marked with an "A".  I am glad she had a long life but am still saddened about her death.  

Ilsa was my 4th grade teacher in 1958 at Kennard School, a St. Louis Public School. She was a National Officer of Alpha Sigma Tau Social Sorority, when I joined in 1966. She also was a member of College Club of St. Louis, when I joined in 2006. 
I have wonderful memories of elementary school because of Mrs. Simpson. I still know all of the verses to Christmas Carols because she required that as the Choir Directer. I always played Ramona in the plays that Mrs. Simpson directed based on the Ramona and Beezus  books. Best of all was being a tightrope walker in the 4th grade circus that she directed.
Due to her influences, I have held offices every year in my sorority, including National positions. She encouraged me to be President of College Club for 6 years. I credit her with my ability to speak in front of a group with confidence.  It took many years for me to be comfortable calling  her Ilsa, since I was always looking up to her. I am lucky to have had her for a mentor. 

Ilsa was a vivacious and active  member of the College Club of St. Louis when I first joined in 2000.  The Club awards scholarships to high school senior girls for their first year in college.  In recent years she has been unable to attend meetings, but has kept her membership active.  



Mrs. Simpson,was my 5th grade teacher at Kennard School in the city of stl.
Great personality,beautiful voice. Heavens gain as she reunites with her family. God Bless.

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John W. Simpson

Arthur Blankenmeister

Hertha (nee: Rink) Blankenmeister

Erwin (Carolyn) Blankenmeister

Debra (Ken) Phillips

Paul (Linda) Blankenmeister

Gary (Patricia) Blankenmeister

Great-aunt of many.

HOFFMEISTER COLONIAL MORTUARY

Ilsa Simpson

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Ilsa Marie Simpson

June 3, 1924 – March 26, 2018

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

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