Janice Kay Dame Simmers
Born: Emporia-June 2, 1939
Died: Yates Center Kansas-February 27, 2024
It is with profound sadness, the family of Janice Kay Dame Simmers is announcing her passing on
Tuesday, February 27, 2024. She leaves an immense void in all fortunate enough to have known her.
Her gentle, caring spirit was a bright light in a dark world.
Janice Kay Dame was born the only child to Floyd A. Dame and Hazel F. Simpson Dame on June 2, 1939,
in Emporia Kansas. She grew up north of Yates Center, near Virgil on the Pure Oil Camp, where her
father was employed. She has always described her life there as idyllic. She had many happy memories
of friends and family there and loved to share them.
She attended Oil Glenn School for elementary and Jr. High School. She then attended Gridley High
School and graduated in 1957. After graduation, she moved to Topeka with some of her friends from
Gridley to attend Clarks School of Business. Upon completion of that program, she was employed at the
Landon State Office Building in the Motor Vehicle Department.
While working in Topeka, she met Nelson Edward Simmers. He relocated from Virginia to Kansas to
attend Washburn University. They were married in Gridley Kansas on August 12, 1961, and made their
home in Topeka KS.
In 1962 they moved to Maryville Missouri for employment. On August 16, 1962, their first child, Lorie
Ann Simmers (Smith Eyler) was born. Following another move for employment to Council Bluffs IA, their
second child, Brian Ray Simmers was born on November 23, 1963.
Janice had several occupations in her life. As mentioned previously, Landon State Office Building in
Topeka, the City Clerk's Office in Severy KS., Autumn Manor Nursing Home, Hillcrest Nursing Home and
the Artex Sewing Factory, all in Yates Center. In later years of her life, she cared for elderly people in
their homes. This came naturally to her, and she loved doing it. Each one she cared for had a special
place in her heart. As was her motivation for volunteering for Meals on Wheels, it gave her a chance to
visit with those she might not have had the chance to.
When she was in her young 20's, she was diagnosed with disabling Rheumatoid Arthritis. She remained
optimistic and persevered, an inspiration to many for it. She especially adored her Grandchildren and
Great-Grandchildren. It was her greatest joy to spend time with them.
In her later years, she was a member of the Yates Center Senior Center. This was a great joy to her; she
enjoyed playing cards there several days a week for many years. She always looked forward to it and
talked often about the friends she had and the fun she had with them.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Hazel Dame and her husband, Nelson Simmers.
She is survived by her daughter, Lorie Eyler (Dan), Blue Springs, MO, Brian Simmers, of the home. Her
Grandchildren, Amy Smith Ruiz (Jason), Wesley Chapel FL. Kenton Smith (Sarah), Durango, CO., and
Sean Smith, Oakland CA. Great Grandchildren, Kaiden (15) and Oliver Smith (11), Carter (9) and Isabelle
Ruiz (7).
Janice will be cremated. The family is planning a celebration of her life on June 30th. Details will be
announced at a later date.
To know her was to love her. Through her many challenges in her life, she was cheerful, kind, loving and
real. She never gave up and always gave 110%.
We were so blessed to have had a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. For our Mama, Grandma
and Great Grandma-thank you for teaching us…
Any act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop