Kate Funk Simpson (1866-1959) was an American educator.

Early life

Kate M. Funk was born in 1866 in

Edina, Missouri Edina is a city in Knox County, Missouri, United States, between the North and South Forks of the South Fabius River. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,012. It is the county seat of Knox County. Geography Edina is located in central ...

, daughter of Thomas W. and Rachel M. Funk of

Kirksville, Missouri Kirksville is the county seat and most populous city in Adair County, Missouri. Located in Benton Township, its population was 17,530 at the 2020 census. Kirksville is home to two colleges: Truman State University and A.T. Still University. ...

Funk was a graduate of the State Normal School at Kirksville, Missouri, graduating in the class of her future husband, James M. Simpson in June 1886.

Career

Kate Funk Simpson was the principal of a High School in

Deer Lodge, Montana Deer Lodge is a city in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, Powell County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,938 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. Description The city is perhaps best known as the home of t ...

. For eight years she was the president of Spokane

Young Women's Christian Association The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on empowerment, leadership, and rights of women, young women, and girls in more than 100 countries. The World office is currently based in Geneva, Swi ...

; for 15 years she was a member of the Spokane City Charities Commission and of the Spokane School Board. She was also a member of

Sorosis Sorosis Club rules in 1869 Sorosis was the first professional women's club in the United States. It was established in March 1868 in New York City. History The club was organized in New York City with 12 members in March 1868, by Jane Cunningham ...

and Service Star League.

Personal life and family

On July 1, 1886, Kate Funk married James Mitchell Simpson (1860-1937), and they had one son, James C. James M. Simpson, actively engaged in the practice of law in Spokane since 1902, had a large business. He was born in Knox County, Missouri, on January 1, 1860, the son of Benjamin and Perlina Simpson, being pioneers of that county. He entered the public schools there when a boy of six years and after completing the course of study therein prescribed, attended the State Normal School at

, from which institution he graduated in the full course of our years in June 1886. Simpson first went west in 1882, locating at Deer Lodge, Montana, remaining west but a short time, when he returned to Missouri to complete his education and again went west to Deer Lodge, Montana, where he engaged in educational work until 1904, having charge of the public schools of that place. He devoted the hours that are usually termed leisure to the study of law and was admitted to the bar of that state in June 1893. Simpson continued his educational work for a time after his admission to the bar, but then devoted entirely to the law. In 1901 he became prosecuting county Attorney of Powell County, Montana, serving in that capacity, for nearly two years. In 1902, he resigned and moved to Spokane, where he continued in the practice of the law. Simpson was identified with three of the leading fraternal organizations. Holding membership in the Masonic fraternity, he attained high rank and was a member of El Katif Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also belonged to Imperial Lodge, No. 134, I. O. O. F., and to Camp No. 99, W. O. W. He belonged also to the Central Christian church. The Simpsons moved to Washington in 1902 and lived at 1115 Alice Ave.,

Spokane, Washington Spokane ( ) is the largest city and county seat of Spokane County, Washington, United States. It is in eastern Washington, along the Spokane River, adjacent to the Selkirk Mountains, and west of the Rocky Mountain foothills, south of the Canada ...

. Kate Funk Simpson died in 1959 and is buried at Greenwood Memorial Terrace, Spokane.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Kate Funk 1866 births 1959 deaths People from Edina, Missouri Educators from Missouri American women educators