Colleen Simon

Colleen A. Simon, 89, of Gettysburg, passed away Monday, July 10, 2017 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls, surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, July 14, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg with Fr. Jerry Kopel presiding. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Visitation was held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 13, 2017 with a 7:30 p.m. wake service, all at the church.

Colleen Ann Simon was born April 6, 1928 to Robert Lee and Martha (Hendrickson) Tays in Volga, SD. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Gettysburg where she grew up and graduated from high school in 1946. In her younger years, she worked at the OPA and at the Register of Deeds office, where her mother was the county Register of Deeds. During high school, Colleen worked at the Palace Theater where she met her future husband, Morris Simon.

Morris and Colleen were married December 30, 1947, a cold wintery South Dakota day, in Hoven. They lived in the Hoven area for two years before moving to their farm two miles west of Lebanon in 1949. They lived their entire lives on this farm, except for a short time when they lived at the Oahe Villa Apartments.

Colleen dedicated her life to her family as a loving and loved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She believed in, practiced, and instilled in those around her compassion, self-reliance, and appreciation for others. As a committed, reliable volunteer for her church, first St. Mary’s in Lebanon and St. Anthony’s in Hoven and then Sacred Heart in Gettysburg, she served the Altar Society in many capacities, including chair of the Sacred Heart funeral committee for many years. She also spent many days at the voting polls, enjoying volunteering for this civic duty. Colleen was an avid sports fan, and she enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren, the Minnesota Twins, and the Timberwolves.

Colleen wanted her friends at Oahe Villa Apartments to know how much she appreciated their love and companionship.

She is survived by her children: Gary (Sandi) of Tampa, Florida, Maure Ann (Craig) Weinkauf of Sioux Falls, Jerry (Judy) of Gettysburg, and Pat (Diane) of Lebanon; six grandchildren: Heidi (Joseph) Wright of Kansas City, Becky (Adam) Glover of Elk Point, Andrew (Dana) of Jupiter, Florida, Jeremy of Sioux Falls, Jessika of Pierre, and Dawson of Lebanon; great grandchildren: Grant and Brynlee Glover, Bentley Simon; and her brother, Jim (Cecile) Tays of Hot Springs, SD.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Morey, brothers DeVere and Richard Tays, and sister Elsie Mae Flint.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Colleen’s arrangements.