Joe Simons

VisitationWednesday, March 18, 2009after 3:00 p.m.(Visitation resumes after 9 a.m. at church Thursday morning)Knights of Columbus Rosary 3:30 p.m.Vigil Service 7:00 p.m.Ohde Twit Funeral Home, Carroll

Mass of Christian BurialThursday, March 19, 2009, 10:30 AMHoly Spirit Church, Carroll, IowaReverend Timothy Johnson, CelebrantRev. Merlin Schrad & Rev. Dale Reiff, Concelebrants

LectorsNicky Kemper    Angie CrossAmy Greving    Tracy Waner

Gift BearersKristie Pottebaum     Cheryl ReinekeTrisha Crowe     Mark Venteicher

Mass ServersSam Kemper     Jackson SimonsDerek & Kaleb VenteicherMusicHoly Spirit ChoirJohn Wagner, VocalistBarb McDermott, AccompanistCasket BearersRick Simons   Tom Simons   Bill ReinekeMike Venteicher   Troy Simons   Matt GrevingIntermentMt. Olivet CemeteryCarroll, Iowa

     Joseph Theodore, son of William and Gertrude (Scharfenkamp) Simons, was born March 19, 1916 at Carroll, Iowa.  He attended Sts. Peter & Paul School through the eighth grade.  Joe then farmed with his father until his retirement, when Joe took over the family farm.     On September 10, 1946, Joe was united in marriage with Rita A. Heithoff at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton.  Joe farmed in the Carroll area until his retirement in 1978.  He and Rita made ceramics during their retirement years, including first communion chalices for nine parishes. They played BINGO and took numerous bus trips to the casinos.  Joe loved to travel, especially vacations to Alaska and Hawaii.  Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.  Joe was a member of Holy Spirit Church in Carroll and Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree.     Joe and Rita became residents of St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll in June 2008.  He died there on Monday morning, March 16, 2009, at the age of 92 years, 11 months, and 25 days.     Preceding Joe in death are his parents; grandchildren Kenneth Venteicher and Gena Simons; sisters: Delores Irlmeier; Gertrude and husband Norbert Renze; Marie and husband Norbert Hahn; Ann and husband Lester Eich; brothers-in-law: Bob Kerkhoff and Carol Zimmer.     Joe is survived by his wife Rita Simons of Carroll; six children: Robert Simons and wife Alice of Carroll; Tom Simons and wife Patty of Carroll; Mary and husband Dick Reineke of Springfield, NE; Joni Venteicher of Carroll; Phil Simons and wife Joyce of Carroll; and Theresa and husband Larry Greving of Carroll; 27 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; sisters Evelyn Kerkhoff and Catherine Zimmer, both of Carroll; brother-in-law Cletus Irlmeier of Carroll; other relatives and friends.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Spirit Church or Kuemper Catholic School system.