Martha Ann Simmons (1929-2012)

SIMMONS, SWARTHOUT, MOORE, ANDERSON, KASTER, PICHT

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/7/2012 at 18:43:57

From the Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.

Martha Ann Simmons

Ames

Martha Ann Simmons, age 82, of Ames died at home on Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Born March 28, 1929 in Albuquerque, NM, Martha grew up in the Ozarks and Kansas City, MO. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology from Kansas City University and a Masters Degree in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University. On August 16, 1952 she married N. Kenneth Simmons Jr. and together they moved to Ames, IA where they were members of the community for over fifty years.

Martha was a medical technologist and cyto technologist working for Mary Greeley Hospital and Clinical Pathology Group until retiring in 1993.

She was a member of the Amateur Trap Shooting Association. While operating the Izaac Walton League trap and skeet range in the 60's with her husband Kenny, Martha won first place 'Lady Champion' State Trap shoot 1965.

Martha was a member of St. Cecilia parish and was very active in their ministries. She was a lector and extra ordinary minister of Holy Communion. She was active in the Cursillo movement. As a deacon's wife, she went to the statewide deacon's meetings. She started and headed the bereavement committee at St. Cecilia parish. Martha was a member of the archdiocesan Lay Formation Advisory Committee. She has been a spiritual director for individuals and directed retreats since 1986. Martha was a volunteer for Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance Inc. of Story County since the mid 1980's. She was instrumental in starting Christian Life Community in Iowa and continued holding CLC meetings (twice a month) through 2011.

Survivors include her son, Ken Simmons III and his wife, Ruth of Grovetown, GA; daughter, Genia Simmons and her husband, Don Swarthout of Austin, TX; daughter, Theresa Simmons Moore and her husband, William of Elkton, MD; daughter, Harriett Simmons of Boone, IA; son, Richard Simmons and his wife, Gina of Ames, IA; son, Donald Simmons of Seattle, WA; grandson, Nelson Simmons and his wife Megan of Martinez, GA; grandson, Travis Simmons and his wife, Katie of Marietta, GA; grandson, Joshua Moore of La Habra, CA; grandson, Vincent Moore of Elkton, MD; granddaughter, Shannon Simmons Kaster and her husband, Larry of Des Moines, IA; grandson, Tim Anderson and his wife, Heather of Pennellville, NY; great-grandson, Dylinger; great-granddaughter, Bella; and great-grandson, Tehmin of Marietta, GA; great-grandson, Andrew Moore of La Habra, CA; and great-grandson, Jaxson Anderson of Pennellville, NY.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny; her daughter-in-law, Nancy Picht Simmons, and her granddaughter, Iris Nicole Moore.

Visitation is 9:30 to 11 a.m., with Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 23 at St. Cecilia Church, 2900 Hoover Ave. Burial will be at Story Memorial Gardens, 3215 S. Duff Ave.

Relatives and friends are welcome at Stevens Memorial Chapel, 607 28th St., on Thursday, March 22 from 5 to 7 p.m., with an evening Vigil service at 6:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions are welcome at Emergency Residence Project, 225 S. Kellogg Ave., Ames, IA 50010.

Online condolences may be sent to www.stevensmemorialchapel.com.