Darlene Mae (Veach) Simmons, 85, of Belleville passed away December 18, 2023, surrounded by her family at Republic County Long Term Care. Darlene was born June 6, 1938, to Burton and Edna Veach in Norcatur, KS, at her grandma Lorene Harris’ house. Her family moved to Scandia when she was 6 years old and she attended Scandia Schools.
She married Donald Lee Simmons on August 24, 1956 and to this union three children were born, Gordon, Gary, and Shelley. They moved to the Belleville community in 1969. She worked at M-C Industries and later Republic County Hospital where she retired after 20 years.
She was spunky, ornery, and had a saying for just about anything. She could make anyone laugh and her humor will be missed the most.
She was very family oriented and loved her children, her grandchildren, and especially her great-grandchildren. She got a kick out of Ragner, snookums as she called him, and was looking forward to Baby Trost being born in February.
She was a member of the Belleville Country Club, where her and her friends, Marge and Ruby, were famous for their beer towers and the Red Hat Ladies.
Darlene loved and will be forever remembered by her children, Gordon Simmons of Paris, TX, Gary Simmons of Belleville, KS, Shelley (Whit) Johnson of Belleville, KS; grandchildren Sharon (John) Obie, Ashley (Brad) McCormack, Jonathin (Sarah) Simmons, Kayley (Craig) Knudson, and Kendsey (Colby) Trost, nine great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Mary Gustin, other relatives and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Lester Gustin, husband Donald L. Simmons on September 2, 1995, mother-in-law Ethel (Lauritzen) Simmons, brother Lester Ray Gustin, sister-in-law Maxine Symmes, and brothers-in-law Robert & Ollie Simmons.
Funeral Services will be Thursday, December 21st, 2023, at 1:30 p.m., at the American Lutheran Church in Belleville. Burial will follow at the Belleville City Cemetery. Family and friends attending the services are encouraged to wear casual attire.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 20th, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm, with family greeting friends from 5pm – 7pm, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorials are requested to the Darlene Simmons Memorial, and may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.
Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting Darlene’s family with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com
