Olive Jean (Randall) Keller-Simonton

Olive Jean (Randall) Keller-Simonton was born on March 13, 1930, to Earl and Erma (Stufft) Randall at Centerville, SD, and passed away at Linden Court Assisted Living in North Platte, NE on February 26, 2024 at the age of 93.

Olive grew up around the Johnstown and Ainsworth areas. Married Dewey G. Keller on January 17, 1948. To this union, three children were born: Michael Jay, Kathleen Kay and Patricia Fay.

Olive and Dewey lived and worked on the Salzman Cattle Company Ranch for 40+ years until his health began to decline and then moved to Ainsworth. During the years on the ranch, the Salzmans became like a 2nd family to Dewey and Olive. They were surrounded by great neighbors and established lifetime friendships, as each one held a special place in both their hearts. Olive loved the ranch, always raised a large flower and vegetable garden, as well as chickens. She loved spring and summertime the best, especially when it came time to cook for the brandings and the hay crew during haying season.

Olive was a 4-H leader, teaching sewing and cooking. She was an excellent seamstress, canned, made homemade butter, and she “could bake up a storm!” She loved to entertain, and the table ALWAYS looked like she was serving royalty. While living on the ranch, Olive worked as a waitress at Morrows Drive-In, clerked at Rexall Drug, (which later became Links Pharmacy.)

In later years, she became the Manager of the Ainsworth Senior Center, working there for seven years. During those seven years, she and a friend received their GED’s which was a gratifying moment for both ladies! Olive was a member of the Women’s American Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of the Ainsworth Church of the Nazarene, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and was always willing to help out wherever there was need.

When Dewey’s health required more care, they moved to Omaha, NE, to be closer to the VA medical doctors. While living there, she worked part-time as a volunteer at the VA Rest Home. After Dewey’s passing in 1990, Olive moved back to Ainsworth for a time. On June 6, 1992, she married Dorn Simonton of Purdum, NE, and again continued to enjoy the life of a rancher’s wife. They enjoyed four wonderful years together until his sudden passing in 1996. Olive later moved to Halsey, NE, and after a few years, she made the decision to move to North Platte to be near her son and family. Her stay there began at the Regency Retirement Home for two years, and as time deemed necessary, she moved to Linden Estates Assisted Living, and then to Linden Court where she passed.

Olive was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Myrtle Radden “Myrt”, Ruth Lear and Lola Brown; two brothers, Everett and Robert Randall. First and second husbands, Dewey Keller and Dorn Simonton.

She is survived by her three children: Mike Keller (Lucy) of North Platte, Kathy Bennett (Danny) of Ainsworth and Patty Robinson (Scott) of Unionville, MO; six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Purdum United Church of Christ in Purdum, NE. Burial followed in the Purdum Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Family in Memory of Olive Simonton. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com