Margaret Simmer

Margaret Simmer, 97, Clear Lake, died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013 at the Oakwood Care Center, Clear Lake.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with Bob Orr officiating.  Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 - 7 p.m.  and then one hour before the 

service on Thursday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Clear Lake Cemetery.  Family suggests memorials to the Margaret Simmer memorial fund.

     Margaret was born Aug. 21, 1916 in Perry, Iowa, the daughter of George and Nora Elizabeth (Kraiger) Rosander.   She was raised on a farm near Perry and was very active helping her father on the farm shelling corn and milking cows.  She graduated from Perry High School.  Margaret married Donald L. Simmer Sr. on Nov. 28, 1938 in Adel, Iowa.  They were blessed with 14 children, 11 boys and three girls. 

In 1958 they moved to Clear Lake.  You always knew when spring was here as she and Don would sit in the front yard greeting everyone as they drove into Clear Lake.  She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, going to ball games, car rides and spending time with her family.  She also was known for fresh, popped popcorn on Saturday afternoons.  She enjoyed her companion dog, Teddy.

Margaret is survived by three daughters, Karen Olinger, Clear Lake, and her special friend, Robert Christiansen, Dixie (Larry) Haugen, Clear Lake, and Sandy Katz, Mason City; seven sons, Richard Simmer, Costa Mesa, Calif., Robert (Colleen) Simmer, Clear Lake, Dennis Simmer, Clear Lake, Francis (Shelley Paulson) Simmer, Ventura, Dale Simmer, Mason City, Tim Simmer, and Tom Simmer, both of Clear Lake; 35 grandchildren; many step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Simmer Sr. (Jan. 26, 1998); and four sons, Paul, Donald, Fredrick and Larry Simmer; granddaughter, Grace Simmer; son-in-laws, Merle Olinger and Dale Katz; daughter-in-law, Michelle Simmer; brother, Lloyd Rosander; and sister-in-law, Bea Rosander.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.