Memorial

Louise Catherine Simons, 97, of Mercy Hallmar Residential Care, died April 23, 2006 following an extended illness. Funeral Mass 10 AM Wednesday April 26, 2006 at All Saints Catholic Church by the Rev. David O' Connor. Interment: Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 7 PM Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home with a vigil service starting at 5 PM.

Survivors include her daughter Catherine Clarence Hanson, and nephew Richard Mary Venteicher, all of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Paul Karen Hanson, Mark Erica Hanson, Tom Sherri Simons, and John Donna Simons; great grandchildren Scott, Brett, Crystal, Jackie, Megan, Alex, and Sawyer; sister-in-law Katherine Simons of Coon Rapids, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband Leo, son James, and two infant sons, John and Paul. Also preceding her in death were her parents, John and Sarah Kehrer, and three brothers Gus, Paul, and Joe Kehrer.

Louise Catherine Simons was born November 14, 1908 in Scott Bar, California the beloved daughter of John and Sarah Kehrer. When Louise was sixteen, she came to Carroll, Iowa to take care of her Grandmother. She met Leo Simons and was married in Carroll on May 24, 1927. Later, Leo's work with the Chicago North Western Railway brought them to Cedar Rapids.

Louise then found work at Collins Radio where she was an electrical inspector. She retired from Collins in 1970 as a twenty-year employee. Louise was a member of All Saints Church, All Saints Quilters, Daughters of Isabella, Railroad Retirement Club, and Young at Heart. She was a fifty-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Earlier in her life she was a volunteer for the Cedar Rapids Community Schools and Mercy Hospital.

Louise's faith and All Saints Church meant a great deal to her. Praying the rosary and reading Scripture daily was important to her. In her later years if she would tire, she would always say, 'I will let the angels finish.'
Louise was a problem solver and a woman of many talents. She enjoyed watching and tending the plants and flowers in her yard. She dutifully chased every leaf that fell as well as every flake of snow that landed on her driveway. In her later years she was seen using the snow blower as her walker. She also enjoyed sewing, making quilts, and constructing birdhouses. Louise loved to share stories about her life as a young girl and the time she spent horseback riding and camping with her three brothers on Mount Shasta. She also enjoyed telling the story of how Leo and her survived the Yarmouth Castle fire on November 13, 1965. When Louise would share tales from her early life, she would say, 'Fond memories that can only be remembered, not repeated.