Helene Simons

Helene Margaret (Mattson) Simons, age 95, longtime resident of rural Webb, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Northshire Residence in Spencer. Helene was born on August 22, 1920 to parents Carl and Mabel (Dahlgren) Mattson in Grand Meadow Township, Cherokee, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm located east of Grand Meadow with her brother and sister. Her mother passed away when Helene was only three years old and she had to assume a lot of responsibilities on their farm and in their household at an early age. She graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1938. Helene married Howard John Simons in Cherokee County on June 16, 1940. They made their home on a farm southwest of Quimby, Iowa until they moved to their present home farm north of Webb in the spring of 1944. Helene enjoyed sewing, quilting, cooking, and baking. She made at least one hand sewn quilt and a wall hanging for each of her children as well as all of her grandchildren. One of her quilts was selected to be part of a quilting display that traveled around the U.S. She enjoyed playing 500 and painted several scenic pictures. Helene was a well-known cake decorator. She loved creating beautiful cakes for every occasion, but she especially enjoyed helping brides select their cakes, invitations and all their wedding supplies. Her Swedish heritage was very important to her. She and Howard traveled to Sweden after their 40th anniversary to visit her relatives. Each year at Christmas time, the family enjoyed Helene's homemade Swedish potato sausage, Swedish rye bread, and Swedish meatballs. Helene was a busy and very active farm wife. For years, she would raise around 800 chicks to dress, cut and pack to sell for $1.25 each. She loved the land and was an avid gardener who loved growing flowers, strawberries, and a variety of fruits and vegetables in her extensive garden. Helene was a competitor, entering in the Textile, Floriculture, Baking, Canning and Agriculture departments at the Clay County Fair. She also was very involved with the Logan Township Booth and later Holiday Doors at the Fair. She entered their tall corn contest for many years and in 2013 set a new record of 17'6'. She served as a 4-H Leader in Logan Township for several years and was an active member of the Farm Bureau. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Spencer. Helene was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, in 1995, her parents, her brother, Arthur Mattson and his wife, her sister, Elsie (Mattson) Crance, and grandsons, Michael and Luke Simons. She is survived by seven children: Nelda Schneider (Edward), Alachua, FL; Warren Simons (Susan), Owatonna, MN; Roger Simons (Linda), Webb, IA; Priscilla Nagel (Duane), Spencer, IA; Carl Simons (Rebecca), Webb, IA; Bruce Simons (Gayle), Spencer, IA; and Jane Hayes, Grand Junction, CO; nineteen grandchildren; and twenty-three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, LaVerne Crance, of Sioux City, IA; many relatives and friends. A Celebration of Life visitation will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015 from 3:00-5:00 pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Spencer with the family present. A private interment will be held at the Logan Township Cemetery, in rural Gillett Grove, Iowa.

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INTERMENT