Miriam (Simmons) GOWDY

GOWDY, SIMMONS, KROGH, WILLIAMS, BROCKMEYER, STUBBS, WILSON, RETTIG, SCHROEDER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2013 at 15:09:40

November 15, 1913 --- January 25, 2013

Miriam Simmons Gowdy, 99, long-time resident of Belmond, died January 25, 2013, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. She was born November 15, 1913, in Northwood, IA, to John J. and Mabel Krogh Simmons, the second of four children. When Miriam’s brother, John, Jr., graduated from high school, she had no transportation from her farm home to school in Northwood. She moved to Belmond to live at the home of her uncle Harold Williams, superintendent of Belmond schools at the time, her aunt Nina and cousin Kay. After graduation she studied at Iowa State Normal School (now University of Northern Iowa) and taught country school, “boarding round” with families of her students. In September, 1935, she and Richard (Dick) Gowdy eloped, keeping their wedding secret so that she could continue her last year of teaching during the depression era when teaching jobs were often not available to wives of working husbands. Dick and she were together until he died in 1986. Two children were born to them, Margot and Michael.

Mimi, as she was known to family and friends, was active throughout her life with many interests. She was a self styled “rock hound” who collected rocks from over the world often brought home to her by friends. She loved agates and spent hours hunting them on the shore of Lake Superior during vacation days. Many referred to her as “Rocky”. She was widely read, especially enjoying English mysteries and books for young people which were popular in the time when she grew up. She memorized many poems which she loved to recite to her students and family. She loved music and wrote many beautiful poems. She was a Campfire Girl leader, Methodist Sunday School teacher, Iowa State Hospital Auxiliary president, active Progress Club, PEO, Friends of the Library and Belmond Area Arts Council member and a long time employee of the former Dougherty Jewelry where her knowledge of gems, glassware and fine china was put to good use. She was knowledgeable about and proud of her Norwegian heritage and treasured her two trips to Norway where she was able to develop continuing relationships with cousins. She loved traveling, especially to the ocean on both coasts.

Miriam and Dick lived at Lake Cornelia for many years where she became a part of its life of birds, trees, flowers and ever-changing water. She filled many scrapbooks with pictures and wrote to family and friends of all things interesting. Collecting antiques was a continuing activity, and she found many special things to decorate her home. She loved her family, friends and their children who remember especially her opening for them many of the mysteries of nature. Reading to her children and grandchildren was a special joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother John, her husband, Dick, and her grandchild Nicholas Gowdy. She is survived by her daughter, Margot (Roger) Brockmeyer, their daughter Kristin (Doug) Stubbs and son Paul (Kara) Brockmeyer; her son Michael (Marjorie) and their daughters Michelle (Chris) Wilson and Jessica Gowdy; great grandchildren Talia Stubbs, Nathan and Kathryn Brockmeyer, Sloan and Henry Wilson, and Schuller Rettig; her sister Ruth Schroeder and brother Norton Simmons, as well as several nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.

A service of celebration of life will be held at a later date. Dugger Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials in her name may be contributed to the Talbot Belmond Public Library, Attn: Chris Adcock, 440 E. Main or the Belmond Historical Museum, in care of Larry Turner, 1275 Taylor Ave.

DUGGER FUNERAL HOME - BELMOND, IOWA
http://www.duggerfunerals.com/CurrentServices.html