Eugene Marshal Simmons

Eugene Marshal, son of Le Roy Carl and Ruth (Satzler) Simmons, was born November 17, 1929, at Topeka, Kansas. The family moved to Iowa in 1940 and lived in the towns of Hamlin and Guthrie Center. Eugene attended rural school in Guthrie County and graduated from Audubon High School in 1949. In 1952 he was drafted to serve in the United States Army in Korea. After achieving the rank of Corporal, he was honorably discharged in 1954. Eugene was united in marriage with Shirley Rudolph on August 28, 1960 at Coon Rapids. Four children were born to this union and the family made their home in Coon Rapids. Eugene worked as a farm hand for Viv Bell, Everett Dennis, Harris Hess and Dennis Patterson. He also worked for Jake Bell as a farm hand and truck driver. Eugene then worked for Garst and Thomas as a night watchman, where he carried a clock. After retiring in 1998 he worked for Elmer's Pump Service until his health declined in 2011. Eugene was an active member and past commander of the American Legion in Audubon and Coon Rapids. He loved to go fishing, especially with his good friend Herman Richards. They also traveled to Texas together. Eugene enjoyed reading t...[more]

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Coon Rapids newspaper every week from front to back, and then read it again. He liked to garden and after his retirement drove around the country and sat in town just people-watching. Eugene loved visiting with family and friends. In January 2012 Eugene moved to the Thomas Rest Haven nursing home in Coon Rapids. He died there on Sunday, March 4, 2012, at the age of 82 years, 3 months and 16 days. Eugene is preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Sophie Simmons; seven sisters and three brothers. He is survived by his wife Shirley Simmons of Coon Rapids; children: Sue Brummer (Dean) of Storm Lake; Raynette Whitecotton (Bryan) of Coon Rapids; Eugene Simmons Jr. of Coon Rapids; and Tom Simmons (Tammy) of Coon Rapids; granddaughter Elizabeth Simmons of Menlo; stepgrandchildren: Brent Bates (Kristen) of Creston; Brandi Ragan (Jesse) of Maryville, MO; and Kinsey Bates of Coon Rapids; brother Gerald Simmons (Betty) of Guthrie Center; many nieces, nephews, stepsisters and brothers; sisters-in-law and their husbands and friends. REVEREND BEN RAMIREZ, OFFICIATING Casket Bearers DAN CLIPPERTON ROD RICHARDS MIKE RUDOLPH RAYMOND SIMMONS JEFF HACHMEISTER STEVE DORPINGHAUS Interment UNION TOWNSHIP CEMETERY NEAR COON RAPIDS, IOWA