Obituary of Marian Simmonds

Marian Simmonds passed away peacefully in her home on March 14, 2022. She was surrounded by loved ones. To the end she was able to communicate her wishes and needs. It was a gift to be able to be there with her and to be able to honor her wishes. Memorial services will be held at 3pm Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service with a time of fellowship to follow for family and friends. Burial services will take place at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo, Iowa at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Marian’s memory to Reach For Your Potential. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com. Marian was loved by so many. She had the kindest, gentlest soul and always demonstrated great strength, fortitude and strong faith. She had a great sense of humor and was quick to laugh. She always thought of others first. She provided a home that was filled with love and happiness. She was able to live independently until her death at the age of 95. She loved being in her cozy home which reflected so well all that she was. She was modest and humble and very content with her life. She had a wide group of friends and delighted in her morning coffee group at McDonalds. She so enjoyed her home and loved watching her favorite mysteries on TV, such as Monk, Columbo and Perry Mason, she also enjoyed Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and was so tickled when she got the answers. In keeping with her thoughtfulness she always had a case of individual bags of Lindor chocolates on hand and would give one to the volunteer from Meals on Wheels whenever they arrived, and at her various doctor appointments, hairdressers, etc. She would also get $2 bills at the bank to insert in birthday cards. She always enjoyed spending time with her family and got such joy from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved a game of croquet in the backyard. She loved playing rummy and the memory game with her grandkids as well. She also loved dining at Midtown Family Restaurant She was born in Toledo, Iowa in 1926. She married Harold Simmonds in 1948 and they were married for 38 years when he passed. They had six children, Pam, twins Jack and Jock, Kris, Kirk and Connie. After her husband’s death, she single handedly cared for Kirk on her own until she was 85 at which time he was placed in a Reach for Your Potential facility where he still resides. Marian attended the University of Iowa for one year and played snare drums in the Hawkeye marching band. She went on to work in various jobs including the telephone company both in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, IA. Her most recent employment was at the University of Iowa in Dining Services from which she retired after nine years. She is survived by her children Pam Butler, Jack Simmonds (Connie), Kris Burkett, Kirk Simmonds and Connie Smothers (Bart); grandchildren, Matt Burkett, Kelly Burkett, Shayne Burkett, Jennifer Beaver, Jason Simmonds, Corey Butler; great grandchildren Maddie Butler, Grant Butler and Evan Burkett; Olivia Probasco, Alex Probasco, Axel Burkett, Izzy Burkett, Austin Beaver, Alex Beaver, Addison Beaver, and sisters Ora Mae Bro and Ann Henricks. Her husband, Harold, infant son Jock, and sister, Nancy Moyer, preceded her in death. Marian will be greatly missed and remembered always with great love and gratitude.