Beverly Lee Simonson, 95, passed away May 9, 2026, at Brookdale Assisted Living, Great Bend, Kansas. She was born on February 3, 1931, in Nevada, Iowa, to Claud and Thelma (Butler) Chaffin. On September 18, 1948, she married Donald Dale Simonson in Great Bend. He passed on May 1, 2007.

A longtime Great Bend resident, Beverly was an extremely and largely self-taught artist. She shared that knowledge by being instrumental in forming the Cottonwood Art Guild in the late 1950's-early 1960's and teaching art classes. Bev worked in her in-home studio on oil and pastel paintings, watercolors, and weavings. Her art was in exhibits at the Shafer Art Gallery, the Deines Gallery in Russell, the Great Bend Public Library, and other local areas in Kansas, as well as in Denver, Colorado. She was a founding member of The Aquarians and Artists At Large. She worked at the Great Bend Public Library and also for Don Humphreys in secretarial and administrative capacities. Beverly was raised in the Methodist faith and attended for many years at the First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed a weekly Bible study at Brookdale Assisted Living until her passing. Beverly (Gramma Bev) dearly loved her family and always enjoyed the time spent with each different generation.

Survivors include daughters, Debbie Hughes and husband Jeff of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Kim Son of Great Bend; son, Michael Simonson of Las Vegas, Nevada; six grandchildren, Amy Wright of Denver, Colorado, Josh Simonson of Oak Grove, Missouri, Sam Wright of Overland Park, Cody Phelan of Phoenix, Arizona, Jessilyn Simonson of Great Bend, and Tess Chupinsky of Las Vegas, Nevada; twelve great grandchildren; half-sister, Wanda McCay of Iowa; brother-in-law, Ralph Simonson and wife Gloria; nephews, John Simonson and Peter Simonson; and nieces, Julia Simonson and Stephanie Simonson.

She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, Kenneth Chaffin; and eldest son, Steve Simonson.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, at First Christian Church, with Pastor Kim Son presiding. Memorials have been designated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Shafer Art Gallery, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530.