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Thursday, April 15, 2021
Shirley Simmons
Age: 76
City: Monticello
Funeral Date
10:30 a.m. Friday, April 16, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Monticello
Funeral Home
Iowa Cremation
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Shirley Simmons
SHIRLEY ANN SIMMONS
Monticello
Shirley Ann Simmons, 76, of Monticello, Iowa, passed away Monday, April 12, 2021, at UnityPoint-St. Luke's Hospital following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 16, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Monticello, Iowa. Inurnment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in Prairieburg, Iowa. A celebration of life will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, April 16, at the former Sunset Nursery, 18136 County Road D62, Monticello, Iowa. Following the continued guidance from health officials, physical distancing must be practiced. The use of face masks or shields is required.
Shirley was born Sept. 1, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the daughter of John and Margaret (Pitlik) Woods. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School with the Class of 1962 and received her nursing degree from Mount Mercy College. Shirley married Leo Simmons at St John's Church in Lisbon, Iowa, on May 28, 1966. Shirley worked as a nurse for many years. She worked at John McDonald Hospital and later at the Anamosa Clinic before retiring in February 2015.
Shirley dedicated her life caring for others. She worked alongside Leo on the farm as well. Shirley adored spending time with her family and friends, going to her grandchildren's activities and enjoying an occasional bus trip. She loved her three sons and their families. Her greatest treasures were her five grandchildren and her great-granddaughter.
Shirley is survived by her loving sons, Mike (Kelly) and Mitch (Jenna), all of Monticello, and Mark (Lynette Heims) Simmons of Dubuque, Iowa; five grandchildren, Nicole (Jacob) Hartwig, Cody (Santana) Simmons, Zach Simmons, Matilda Roberts and Kayla Simmons; one great-granddaughter, Hadley Hartwig; a brother, John Woods; brother-in-law, Joseph Simmons (special friend Claudia); and a sister-in-law, Michele (Lance) Rubin.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Leo Simmons; her parents; in-laws, Joseph and Helen Simmons; a sister, Kay Wolvers; her sister-in-law, Cleanne Woods; and a nephew, JJ. Woods
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.iowacremation.com.

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