Ralph N. Simons

Rosary at 4:30 p.m. Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Ralph Nicholas Simons was born February 18, 1923, in St. Benedict, Iowa, the son of Jacob and Mary (Zitzelsperger) Simons. He grew up and went to school there. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943, where he proudly served as a pilot until being honorably discharged in 1946. On July 30, 1955, Ralph was united in marriage to Phyllis Elsbecker at St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft, Iowa. Ralph loved his grandchildren, visiting with them, watching them mature and hearing about their lives. He loved to fish, play cards and watch westerns on television. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially those his grandchildren participated in. We all enjoyed sitting, napping with him and hearing his many experiences and stories from the Air Force and from his trucking and hog buying days. He was a member of St. Cecelia Parish and the American Legion Hagg-Turner Post #90 and the V.F.W. Post #2541 of Algona. Ralph died Wednesday, February 11, 2004 at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa, at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Algona, Iowa; five children, Judith Gonzales of Fort Dodge, Iowa; M...[more]

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elle and Bob Schoby of Blair, Nebraska; Nick and Theresa Simons of Grimes, Iowa; Melinda and Mark Erpelding of Algona, Iowa; David and Mara Simons of West Des Moines, Iowa; 11 grandchildren, Laurel, Rachel and Christian Gonzales; Stephanie and Breanne Schoby; Ryan, Jake and Sara Simons; Nicole and Jennifer Erpelding; and one grandson to be born soon. Also surviving are sisters, Ellen Ludwig and Nelvina Simons. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Jacob and Lydia Simons; George and Cecelia Simons; Albert and Eileen Simons; Oscar and Alice Simons; Stella and Nick Arndorfer; Lucille and Jack Kutschara and Harriet Simons.