Barbara Simkins

Barbara Catherine Simkins (Temple) died peacefully at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on September 19, 2023 at the age of 88.

Barbara was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on January 9, 1935. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1953. Following high school, she attended Columbia Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1956 with a degree in Registered Nursing.

After college, Barbara married Richard (Rick) D. Temple in 1958. Barbara and Richard raised their family in Alexandria, Minnesota where Barbara had a longstanding career in nursing. She was a Registered Nurse for Douglas County Hospital beginning in 1961 until 1971. In 1971, she was promoted to Operating Room Supervisor for the Sauk Center Hospital. She returned to the Douglas County Hospital in 1976 as a Registered Nurse in the operating room where she remained until 1990. She finished her career as an advocate with Listening Ear until her retirement in 1996.

Barbara was a member of the Alexandria League of Women Voters for several years. During her term as president, the club was tasked with naming streets in Alexandria and "Temple Street" was named after her. She also enjoyed traveling, collecting things, especially dolls and antiques, and gardening. She was a member of the High Button Doll Club, an antique doll club in the Twin Cities.

After her retirement, Barbara and Rick moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. Rick passed away in 1998 after a battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She would go on to marry Richard Simkins from 2000 to 2010, when she returned to Fergus Falls, Minnesota to be closer to family.

Barbara was bold in nearly everything she did. She was an opinionated, strong-minded woman who loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much. One of her legacies will be the strong women in her family that follow in her footsteps. Barbara had an entrepreneurial spirit, being part of the co-op of Antiques and Accents in Alexandria for several years. She always loved a good deal and providing antique treasures for others. She also liked to enjoy the good things in life and never passed up on dessert. One of her favorite sayings was, "You have to have a little fun every day."

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Rick Temple, her mother, Juanita Barbara Allen Stephenson, and her father, John S. Stephenson.

She is survived by her three children, Kristin (Dennis) Tuel of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Scott Temple of Butte, Montana, and Allisa Temple of Apple Valley, Minnesota; grandchildren, Patrick (Rachel) Tuel, Sarah (Michael) Duffy, Michael Tuel, Dustin (Steph) Nord, Essa Temple, and Hannah Temple; great-grandchildren, Matthew Tuel, Lucas Tuel, Claire Duffy, Jack Duffy, Maddy Nord, and Mason Nord; sister, Jeanne Hess; and nephews, Ryan Hess and Greg Hess.

Memorial Service: 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 13, 2023, at St. James Episcopal Church, Fergus Falls, Minnesota with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church and dinner to follow.
Clergy: Reverend Tom Sinning
Interment: St. James Episcopal Church, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com