Obituary of Roberta J. Simmons

Roberta J. Simmons, age 71 of North Liberty died Tuesday, November 14, 2006, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City following complications of cancer. Memorial services will be held at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 19, 2006, at the First United Methodist Church in North Liberty with the Reverend’s Romaine Barber and Alicia Williams officiating. Memorial donations can be made in Roberta’s memory to Camp Courageous in Monticello, Iowa. Online condolences may be sent for her family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Roberta June Hite Simmons was born June 12, 1935, in New Sharon, Iowa the daughter of Robert and Dorothy (Waltz) Hite. She was a graduate from Alburnett High School. On December 28, 1952, she was united in marriage to William R. Simmons. The couple has resided in North Liberty for many years. She has worked as an accountant most of her life for various employers in this area; Thomas & Betts of Iowa City, South Slope Telephone of North Liberty and retiring from Centro of North Liberty. Roberta was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in North Liberty where she was the organist for years, a member of United Methodist Women both on the local and state levels. For a number of years she played the organ for funerals at George L. Gay Funeral Home in Iowa City. She was known to volunteer for many special groups and organizations throughout the years, including Special Olympics; Wesley House Foundation, the University Of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. But her passions in life included the love of her family, her golf game along with her friends from the Cedar Rapids Women’s Golf League, being outside enjoying Mother Nature, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeye Women’s teams. Her family includes her husband, William; children, Pamela Vande Voort and her husband, Lee of Pella; Paul Simmons of Riverside; Lynda Pierce and her husband, Jeff of Orchard Lake, MI; and Lynn Simmons of North Liberty; three grandchildren, Joshua Simmons, Sydney Pierce and Paige Pierce; brother, Charles Hite and his wife, Freida of Alburnett. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Harlan Hite. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Roberta’s family and her services.