Rose Simmons

Obituary for Rose Marcheta Simmons May 24, 1931 – July 11, 2012 Rose Marcheta Simmons went home to be with her Lord and Savior, surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at the Alzheimer Care Center in Torrington Wyoming. She was 81. Colyer Funeral Home of Torrington is in charge of the arrangements and friends may send condolences to the family at www.colyerfuneralhome.com Viewing will be at Colyer’s on Monday, July 16 from 3:00-7:00 PM. The Funeral Service will be conducted by Rose’s son, Pastor Randy Simmons at Faith Fellowship in Guernsey Wyoming on Tuesday, July 17 at 10:30 AM. The Graveside Service will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Torrington at 2:30 PM. Memorial contributions can be sent to Valley Christian School, 2441 East E Street, Torrington, Wyoming 82240. Rose was born to Hiram and Mildred (Leslie) Abshire on May 24, 1931 in McFadden Wyoming. When Rose was five, the family moved to Powell Wyoming where she started and finished school graduating from Powell High School in 1949. When Rose’s family moved to Powell, a neighbor lady invited the family to her church, First Baptist of Powell. It was there at First Baptist where Rose received Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord when she was seven. The summer Rose graduated from high school she met the love of her life John Simmons at Camp Grace near Laramie Peak in Wyoming. Both she and John were counselors. The following summer on July 3, 1950, they were married. John and Rose had three children, Kathy, Mark, and Randy. After high school, Rose attended Northwestern College in Minneapolis Minnesota with John. During that time she also attended McPhail School of Music also in Minneapolis. After college, for over 40 years, John was a pastor of churches in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Rose was the quintessential pastor’s wife. She was an accomplished musician and played the piano and organ, sang and played special music, and led church choirs. Along with her music ministry at church, she taught hundreds of piano students over the years. Rose was an excellent teacher, and also taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and youth groups for years. Her absolute favorite teaching positions, however, were the K-3, K-4, and Music Teacher positions at Valley Christian School in Torrington Wyoming where she taught from 1984-2000. Rose was the most supportive wife a pastor could ever have. She was a loving mother who was completely involved in the lives of her children and children-in-law. Rose absolutely adored her grandchildren, and faithfully supported them in their academic, athletic, and musical events. The sun rose and set with them. At any given time prior to her illness, she could tell you exactly what each of them were doing and what their latest accomplishments were. She was immensely proud of them. Besides her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Rose loved little kids. She would light up when she held a baby or shared the company of a pre-schooler. Rose was also a great lover of dogs, and doted on all of the family dogs over the years. Rose was an incredible cook, and provided wonderful meals for her family. She was especially proficient in baking bread, pies, and cakes. The most remarkable quality of Rose, however, was her abiding faith in Jesus Christ that she talked about continually and strove to pass onto her children and grandchildren. She was a serious student of the Bible, and blessed her family and many a class with her understanding and teaching. She also prayed diligently everyday for all of her family. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, John Simmons of Torrington Wyoming; her daughter Kathy Ekblad and husband Jon of Williston, North Dakota; her son Mark Simmons and wife Marilyn of Torrington; and her son Randy Simmons and wife Francine of Guernsey Wyoming. She also is survived by grandsons Jason Ekblad (Staci) and their four children, and Brad Ekblad (Angie) and their two children both of Williston; Ty Simmons (April), Ft. Laramie, WY; Trevor Simmons (Brittney), Austin TX; Zachariah Simmons (Justine), Minneapolis MN; and Christopher Hull, Sioux Falls, SD. She also is survived by granddaughters Lisette Simmons, Glenwood Springs CO; Lindsey Simmons, Torrington; Whitney Rivera (Elliot) and their four children, Cheyenne WY; Kelsey Sontag (Peter), Minneapolis MN; and Alli Simmons, Guernsey. In total she is survived by 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. And she is survived by her faithful caregiver, Teresa Brott, who provided exceptional loving and patient care both while Rose was at home and then at the Alzheimer Care Center. Preceding Rose in death were her parents and her brother, William Abshire.

Rose Simmons

May 24, 1931 - July 11, 2012