Velda Anna (Johns) SIMON

JOHNS, SIMON, HELMKE, SWEEN, PARIS, LEVAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/9/2012 at 12:21:36

April 8, 1917 --- January 26, 2012

Velda Simon, 94, of Fairmont, MN

Celebration of Life services for Velda Simon, 94, of Fairmont, MN, will be 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, MN with the Rev. Neil Christopherson officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in the Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont. Visitation will be one hour prior to the time of service beginning at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont. Velda passed away Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the Mount Olivet Careview Home in Minneapolis, MN.

Velda Anna (Johns) Simon was born April 8, 1917, on a farm near Clarion, IA, the daughter of Wilhelm and Wilhelma (Helmke) Johns. As a young girl, Velda moved with her family to Swea City where she began her education in a one room country school house. After a move closer to town, Velda attended Swea City Public School and rode a bus that was pulled by a pair of horses. Velda later attended Senaca Highs School where she played girls basketball. One of her seasons they made it to the State Basketball Tournament in Des Moines, IA. She graduated from Senaca High School in 1935. Following her graduation, Velda attended beauty school in Minneapolis. Upon completion of her education, Velda moved to Trimont in 1937, and began working. On March 24, 1938, Velda was united in marriage to Frank Simon at the St. Johns E & R Church in Fairmont, MN. Together the couple made their home on a farm near Fairmont and were blessed with two children, Robert and Sandra. Velda worked most summers at Stokely Canning Factory beginning in 1938. The family would move again, after the purchase of a farm in Waverly Township in 1948. The couple retired from farming and moved to Fairmont in 1974. Velda was a hard working independent woman. She worked many years on the farm, working the land and tending to the livestock along with taking care of the duties of the house. In her spare time, she enjoyed camping trips with her family, fishing, playing cards, writing memories of family history, gardening, and antiques. Velda treasured the memories made during the many trips that she took throughout the years to California, the east coast, camping trips with Sandi to Canada, a trip to see her granddaughter in Alaska, and even a trip to Europe in 1981. Velda’s strong will and independence kept her going at 94, as she took on knee replacement surgery and had recovered and was again walking on her own with plans to return to her home in Fairmont before the Lord called her home. She will be greatly missed by those that loved her and called her friend.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Sandi Sween of Richfield, MN; granddaughters, Carly (Todd) Paris of Fairbanks, AK, and Anne (Nick) LeVan of West St. Paul, MN; great-grandchildren, Rosie and Liam; as well as many other extended family and friends. Velda was preceded in death by her parents, Wilhelm and Wilhelma Johns; husband, Frank Simon; son, Robert Simon; and a son-in-law, Will Sween.

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