The Life of PHYLLIS DOLORES SIMONSEN
Phyllis Dolores Simonsen, 85, was born on December 3, 1929, in Emmetsburg, IA to Neely and Marie Kay and four older siblings, and passed from this earth on January 4, 2015.
Dolores always had a song in her heart and was an accomplished vocalist and pianist. She also played clarinet and was the drum major of the Emmetsburg High School marching band, graduating in 1947. She attended MacMurray College in Illinois, returning to Iowa in 1949 to work at John Deere Ankeny. She met, then married the love of her life Clarence Simonsen on May 6, 1950, residing in Des Moines, IA.
Dolores was a dedicated mother and active in her church. She re-entered the workforce in 1971 and was a long-time employee of Brenton Banks. Dolores is survived by two children, Lisa (Matt) Castillo and Dana (Linda) Simonsen; 3 grandsons and 1 step-granddaughter; 2 great-granddaughters, 2 great-grandsons, and one step-great granddaughter; 2 sisters, 1 brother, and many nieces and nephews. Dolores is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 52 years, and a brother.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Friday morning at the funeral home beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Dolores always had a song in her heart and was an accomplished vocalist and pianist. She also played clarinet and was the drum major of the Emmetsburg High School marching band, graduating in 1947. She attended MacMurray College in Illinois, returning to Iowa in 1949 to work at John Deere Ankeny. She met, then married the love of her life Clarence Simonsen on May 6, 1950, residing in Des Moines, IA.
Dolores was a dedicated mother and active in her church. She re-entered the workforce in 1971 and was a long-time employee of Brenton Banks. Dolores is survived by two children, Lisa (Matt) Castillo and Dana (Linda) Simonsen; 3 grandsons and 1 step-granddaughter; 2 great-granddaughters, 2 great-grandsons, and one step-great granddaughter; 2 sisters, 1 brother, and many nieces and nephews. Dolores is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 52 years, and a brother.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Friday morning at the funeral home beginning at 10:30 a.m.