Ellen Simper

Our dear mother, Ellen Carbine Simper returned to her Heavenly home today, April 4, 2017, after a long battle with cancer. She was born on February 5, 1945, the sixth of seven children, to Joe and Verona Carbine in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Her father raised pecans and cotton, leading to a long running joke in the family that they were raised on a nut farm. When she was only six her mother died of cancer, the first of several members of her family who would eventually succumb to that disease. She convinced her dad that she should attend Brigham Young University and while there she met her husband, Dan Simper. After a whirlwind engagement they were married for eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 3, 1967 and recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. They have six children who have all followed her example by being sealed in marriage for eternity in the temple. They have 22 grandchildren, soon to be joined by one more grandchild and their first great-grandchild later this year. Ellen was an artist in every sense of the word. Writing, painting, singing, playing and teaching music occupied much of her time, and she left behind a legacy of beautiful art and budding musicians.  She served in numerous callings in the Church in Holbrook, Arizona and touched many lives through her service. In her last year she found joy working in the Snowflake Arizona Temple.Ellen was preceded in death by her mother and father; her older brothers, Ivan Carbine and Dennis Carbine; her older sisters, Joan Eyre and Chadra Miller. She is survived by her husband, Dan; her children, Brian (Chanda) Simper, Evan (Sue) Simper, Jenny (Brian) Yazzie, Laura (John) Young, Dallan (Stephanie) Simper, and Kay (Bo) Lee; her grandchildren, Nichelle Yazzie, Shauntel Simper, Zach (Aubrey) Yazzie, Sheridan Simper, Rhiannon (Blake) Linnebur, Mariah Simper, Brenna Simper, Jenna Young, Kristen Yazzie, Alisa Young, Amelia Simper, Meghan Lee, Cole Simper, Grant Simper, Lucy Simper, Emily Young, Bryn Simper, EJ Lee, Matthew Simper, Avery Yung, Evelyn Simper, and Kimber Lee; her brothers, Tony (Karen) Carbine, and David (Rosanne) Carbine; brothers-in-law, Alan Miller, Bill (Candy) Simper; sisters-in-law, Helen Carbine, Sherri (Mark) Haver, and Laura (Dan) Goodman; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.The visitation will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday, April 7, 2017, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - Holbrook Chapel, 409 First Avenue in Holbrook, Arizona.  The funeral service will begin 1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the Holbrook Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1127 Helen Avenue in Holbrook, Arizona where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior.  The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Holbrook Cemetery.   In lieu of sending flowers, hug a mom, sing a song, and do something kind for someone.