Francis Dean Simmerman
He went to meet his Lord on August 25, 2022. He was born in Warren
County, Indianola, Iowa on June 1, 1937. His parents were Orval
Simmerman and Doris (Johnson) Simmerman. He attended 8 different
schools in Warren County and graduated from Spring Hill High School in 1955
- one year before it was consolidated with Norwalk and Martensdale.
Francis attended Lynn Grove Methodist Church where he was baptized. He
attended Simpson College, where he graduated in 1959, and was employed
at Hy-Vee in Indianola. After 5 years he was promoted to assistant manager
at the Iowa City Hy-Vee. Another 5 years later found him promoted to
manager at the Duff Avenue Hy-Vee in Ames where he remained for 13
years.
In 1980 he married Martha Jo Anderson and lived in Ames, IA. In 1982 he
and Jo purchased the Dairy Queen in Boone and enjoyed eleven years of
"entertaining folks in Boone". Still too young to retire Francis continued his
career by selling advertising for the local radio station KWBG for the next five
years.
Francis enjoyed traveling, especially to Mazatlan, a European trip, an
Alaskian trip and many visits to family and friends around the United States.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Martha
Jo of 42 years, five children: Michael Simmerman (Dale) of Candor, NC,
Cheryl Vanek (Eric) Chicago, IL, Linda West of Newton, IA, Scott Simmerman,
(Anna) of McKinney, TX and Julie Nelson (Paul) of Huxley, IA, one step-
daughter Joann Clippinger of Omaha, NE, 21 grandchildren and 23 great
grandchildren, his brother Donald Simmerman (Rose) Elk Grove, CA and one
sister Delores Streeter, Pleasant Hill, IA.
Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m. and services will be at 11:30 a.m. Both will
be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 712 12th St, Boone, IA 50036 on
September 6, 2022.