Shirley Simmons

Shirley A. (Johnson) Simmons was born December 6, 1933 in Cherokee, Iowa. At the age of 6 months she was adopted by Nathaniel and Idella (Gale) Johnson. Her early childhood years were spent in Cherokee, where she attended school and obtained her GED in 1972. On July 2, 1950, Shirley married Phillip Simmons of Quimby, Iowa. Together, they farmed in Silver Township for over 40 years, and then made their home in Cherokee in 1996. Shirley kept herself busy both caring for their growing family and helping Phillip on the farm. She was a wonderful cook, and made many of her family's clothes through the years. She enjoyed doing handwork, reading, having Sunday breakfast at HyVee with friends, and summer vacations at the Iowa Great Lakes with the family and friends. Shirley delighted in all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was in the Peer Elderly Program, a former member of the Catholic Daughters of America, and was a member of the I.C. Catholic Church. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Quimby for 40 years, where she served as a Eucharistic minister. Following a brief illness, Shirley passed away, peacefully, in her home on Monday, February 16, 2015. She was preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter, Brooke Goodwin. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Phillip, and their children: David (Corliss) Simmons of Quimby, Iowa, Karen 'Kit' Sievers of Alta, Iowa, Kathryn 'Nan' Hempel of Urbandale, Iowa, Mary (Gary) DeWitt of Hermann, Missouri, and Melissa (Martin) Kohn of Cherokee; her 12 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren (and with one on the way!); brother-in-law, Gene (Darlene) Simmons of Columbus, Ohio. The family is requesting donations to the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. `

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