Edyth Gayle Simonsen

Edyth Gayle Simonsen, the daughter of Johnie and Ethel (Neff) Williams, was born November 30, 1934, at her parents’ home in Dripping Springs, Arkansas and died June 14, 2015, at the Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 80 years, 6 months, and 14 days.
Edyth was baptized as an adult at the First Christian Church in Audubon, Iowa. She attended school in Dripping Springs then helped operate the family farm. Edyth moved to Coffeeville, Kansas where she lived with her Aunt and Uncle and was employed as a waitress at their restaurant. While working there she met her future husband.
On June 30, 1956, she was united in marriage to Norman Hjuler Simonsen, in Wichita, Kansas. Four children Dwaine, David, Linda, and Gwena were born to this union. They lived in Wichita and Edyth was a homemaker raising the children during this time. In September of 1966 they moved to Audubon, Iowa to be near Norman’s relatives. Edyth was employed as a Nurse’s Aide at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa for many years then later worked in the dietary department until she retired to care for Norman. Norman died April 30, 1996. Edyth lived in and enjoyed her home before moving to the Friendship Home in July of 2013.
Edyth was a member of the Audubon Church of Christ. She also was a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary. Edyth enjoyed being with her family especially the grandchildren and her newest great grandson Leo.
Preceding her in death was her husband Norman H. Simonsen; her parents; her sister Freda Boling; and a special cousin who was raised with her Vernon Williams.
Survivors include her children Norman Dwaine and wife Melinda Simonsen of Carroll, Iowa, David and wife Cindy Simonsen and Linda Holland all of Audubon, Iowa, and Gwena Gayle and husband Joe Nash of Urbandale, Iowa; her grandchildren Gayle and husband Evan Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska, Justin and wife Val Madison of Ankeny, Iowa, Jared Simonsen and special friend Connie Geisenhoff both of Bondurant, Iowa, Jessica Simonsen and fiancé Jake Claussen of Indianola, Iowa, John Holland and special friend Mary Junk, and Mark Holland all of Ames, Iowa, Matthew and special friend Kristina Reeve both of Gilbert, Iowa, Emily and husband Allan Bakker of Des Moines, Iowa, and Derek Nash of Urbandale, Iowa; her great grandchildren Sydney Uemura, Hailey Uemura, Colton Madison and Jocelyn Madison all of Ankeny, Iowa, and Leo Bakker of Des Moines, Iowa; her brother Charles and wife Polly Williams of Elkins, Arkansas; her sister Wilma and husband Leland Watkins of Huntsville, Arkansas; her brother-in-law Lester Boling of Nixa, Missouri, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Heath Hansen on Wednesday afternoon June 17, 2015, at 2:00 P.M. at the Audubon Church of Christ in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The honorary casket bearer will be her great grandson Leo Allan Bakker. The casket bearers will be her grandsons John Holland, Mark Holland, Matthew Holland, Jared Simonsen, Derek Nash, Allan Bakker, and Evan Anderson. The family will meet with friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00P.M. Until 8:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa.