Fitzsimmons, Frank

Frank Fitzsimmons, 83, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday. The Rev Al Polito will officiate at the services. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, with military honors.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

Surviving is his wife, Linda; three children, Dennis (Fish) Fitzsimmons and his wife, Diane, Patty Gassmann, all of Monticello, and Christine Kramer and her special friend, Dan Wilhelm of Hopkinton; a daughter-in-law, Jean Greiner of Keota; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Wade, Jordan (Kali) Gassmann, Mandee (Jamey) Schilling, Chelsie Fitzsimmons, Megan and Kyle Kramer and Josh (Melissa) Pearce; 13 great-grandchildren and one on the way; and four sisters, Dolores McAteer, Marion, Edna Kintz, Robins, and Glady McMellor and Lois Livingston both of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Stanley David (Couzy) Fitzsimmons in 1973; a grandson, Jared D. Gassmann in 2002; and a sister, Vida Gudenkauf in 2010.

Frank Fitzsimmons was born July 16, 1928, at Monticello, Iowa. He was the son of Edward D. and Essie Boots Fitzsimmons. He graduated from the Monticello Community Schools in 1946. He served in the United States Army from 1946 until 1948 in the Pacific Theater and Japan. Frank married Dorothy Gravel in 1950 and they were divorced in 1968. Frank married Linda Schafer on Oct. 6, 1973, at St. Luke's Methodist Church in Monticello. Frank had been employed at Wilson Foods in Cedar Rapids, and Energy Manufacturing. He was employed at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids for 25 years, retiring in 1984.

Frank was a charter member of the Monticello Drill Team and a life long member of the V.F.W. He started the Legion League Softball in 1975 and was the first commissioner. He was interested in all sports and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate. Frank enjoyed being with his family.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 4, 2012.