Simmons, Kieth Robert

Kieth Robert Simmons, 67, died Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following an extended illness. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Van Horne, with the Rev. David Lindberg officiating. Friends may register at service time.

A memorial fund has been established.

Kieth was born Feb. 20, 1942, at Iowa City, to Albert Dean and Edyth (McAtee) Simmons. On July 29, 1974, he was united in marriage to Jerreldene Niece at the Episcopalian Church in Cedar Rapids. Kieth was employed as an auto mechanic at Clayt's Auto Service for many years and before his retirement he worked at American Colored Graphics in Marengo and part-time at Smoke House Square Antiques in Amana, where he enjoyed his co-workers and customers. He attended St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Van Horne. He enjoyed antiquing, horses, barrel racing, bronco riding and drag racing.

Kieth's quiet wisdom and love will comfort and sustain his family through their time of grief.

He is survived by his wife, “Jerri” of Van Horne; his mother, Edyth Simmons of Marion; his son, Theodore Robert (Tane) Simmons of Cedar Rapids; his daughters, Diana Lynn Simmons of Marion and Kimala Kay Unkrich of Van Horne; two grandchildren, Steele Lee Unkrich of Van Horne and Sissi Ann Unkrich of Lexington, Wash.; one brother, Jerry Allen Simmons of Prior Lake, Minn.; one sister, OraLee Hollingsworth of Cedar Rapids; and one sister-in-law, Laura Simmons of Columbus, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his father; two sons, Christopher Allen Simmons and Scott Wesley Unkrich; two brothers, Craig DeLoss Simmons and infant brother, Dickie; two sisters, Alberta Mae Hartgrave and Regina Kay Anderson; and his brother-in-law, Ronald Dene Niece.

Condolences may be left at