Jane Annette (Steel) Simpson

Jane A. Simpson was born on September 8, 1943, in Lakeview, Oregon to Oscar Steel and Nellie Lourine (Strickland) Steel. Jane passed away on October 9, 2023, in Lakeview, Oregon.

She was married to Luther Philip Rychard and the union of approximately 12 years produced three children. Philip Ray Rychard, Micheal Dale Rychard, and Annette Jane Rychard were all born in Lakeview.

 Jane married Lane W. Simpson in 1982. They lived together in Lakeview for almost 41 years. This union resulted in Jane having two daughters immediately added to her family, Krista Diane Simpson, and Lindsay Lane Simpson.

Jane worked for the Lake County Sheriff’s office and after many years of employment, she ultimately became the first female to be certified as a police officer in Lake County history. She received her basic police certificate in December of 1987. After her certification and completion of her road work or patrol training, she was active in serving warrants, both arrest and search, and matroning at the jail during the booking of female prisoners as there were few female jailers at that time. This resulted in many call-outs in the middle of the night or early morning hours in addition to her normal shift. However, her main duties were that of Chief Civil Deputy. She retired in 1998 after 26 and ½ years of service.

She also tended bar as a second job until her marriage to Lane.

She was a hard worker.

After retirement, she worked for several years at US Bank in Lakeview.

She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much. She was very generous to them all. She had no favorites. However, in times of special needs, Jane would always give extra assistance to the needy. All the families benefited from this approach at one time or another.

Jane was preceded in death by a brother, Dale Whitson Steel, and her son Philip in separate logging-related accidents.

She is survived by her husband, Lane, and her children and partners: Michael Rychard (Nancy), Annette Shullanberger (Barry), Krista Simpson (Dave), Lindsay Detrick (Tyler), her grandchildren: Brittany Jane Nelson (Jeff), Stacie Marie Montgomery, her great-grandchildren; Ashlynn Shullanberger, Danica Shullanberger, Andrey Nelson, Delilah Nelson, and her brother: Ray Delton Steel.

Donations in Jane's memory may be made to The Ed Garrett Lake County Roundup Museum, C/O John Flynn: 438 Mountain View; Lakeview, OR 97630 or

Lakeview Elks 1536 Building Fund (raise the roof); 323 North F Street; Lakeview, OR 97630

or to a charity of the donor's choice.

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