Inez Enander Simpson

Inez Enander Simpson passed away April 5, 2025 at her home in Albany, Oregon one week before her 97th birthday.
Born April 12, 1928 at home on the family farm in Stanley, North Dakota, she was the middle of Hilma and Ruben Enander's seven children. She dearly loved her brothers and sisters and spoke only words of love and admiration for them all her life.
Both sets of her grandparents emigrated from Sweden and eventually settled in North Dakota. She spoke fondly and proudly of her Swedish heritage and North Dakota roots throughout her life.
She often shared stories of her early life on the farm, including memories of ice skating in winter on the frozen Knife River, being taken home from school in a covered sleigh during blizzards, and helping her mother with household chores before having electricity.
Inez attended North Dakota State University (then North Dakota Agricultural College), earning a degree in Home Economics. There she met the love of her life, Ralph Simpson, and they were married June 13, 1950, a week after Inez graduated from college. Their honeymoon was a cross-country trip from North Dakota to Oregon where Ralph had moved following his graduation the year before. The couple made their first home in Salem where their first son was born.
A year later they moved to Roseburg, where Inez taught Home Economics and English at Roseburg High School. She became a full-time mother when her second child was born and her focus fully shifted to the family. Two more children were born while living in Roseburg.
In 1957 they moved to Albany where Inez lived the rest of her life. Four more children were born there and Inez was kept busy with her family of eight. She was a loving and proud mother who made each child feel like a favorite, and the household was most often filled with fun and laughter.
She was a kindergarten teacher and aide at Albany Christian School for 21 years, retiring in 1989. She loved children and kept in touch with many former students for decades after her teaching career ended.
When Ralph passed away in 2013 after 63 years of marriage, Inez missed him but often said she felt blessed by her wonderful family who took good care of her. In 2016 she moved to a fully renovated apartment in the lower level of daughter Lori and husband Rick's historic home. After that she wanted it known how much she loved her beautiful apartment and repeatedly voiced thankfulness for her children, who rotated visits to ensure she had visitors every weekend.
Inez loved to quilt was known for her beautiful creations. Her hands were never idle, and her many quilts were treasured gifts to family and friends, often given to commemorate birthdays, graduations, marriages and births.
Most of all, Inez loved the Lord. She was a long-time member of Willamette Community Church, and her Christian faith was central in her life. Her love for others was always evident, and she was never without a smile.
Inez is survived by her brother John in Stanley, North Dakota; eight children: Gary, Kathleen, Nancy, Randall, Robert, Ronald, Rebecca, Lori; 16 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.