BOONE, Iowa—He went to meet his Lord on August 25, 2022. He was born in Warren County, Indianola, Iowa on June 1, 1937. His parents were Orval Simmerman and Doris (Johnson) Simmerman. He attended 8 different schools in Warren County and graduated from Spring Hill High School in 1955 – one year before it was consolidated with Norwalk and Martensdale.

Francis attended Lynn Grove Methodist Church where he was baptized. He attended Simpson College, where he graduated in 1959, and was employed at Hy-Vee in Indianola. After 5 years he was promoted to assistant manager at the Iowa City Hy-Vee. Another 5 years later found him promoted to manager at the Duff Avenue Hy-Vee in Ames where he remained for 13 years.

In 1980 he married Martha Jo Anderson and lived in Ames, IA. In 1982 he and Jo purchased the Dairy Queen in Boone and enjoyed eleven years of “entertaining folks in Boone”. Still too young to retire Francis continued his career by selling advertising for the local radio station KWBG for the next five years.

Francis enjoyed traveling, especially to Mazatlán, a European trip, an Alaskan trip and many visits to family and friends around the United States.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Martha Jo of 42 years, five children: Michael Simmerman (Dale) of Candor, NC, Cheryl Vanek (Eric) Chicago, IL, Linda West of Newton, IA, Scott Simmerman (Anna) of McKinney, TX and Julie Nelson (Paul) of Huxley, IA, one step-daughter Joann Clippinger of Omaha, NE, 21 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, his brother Donald Simmerman (Rose) Elk Grove, CA and one sister Delores Streeter, Pleasant Hill, IA.

Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m. and services will be at 11:30 a.m. Both will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 712 12th St, Boone, IA 50036 on September 6, 2022.

Online condolences may be left at celebratelifeiowa.com

The Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care of Baxter and Zearing are handling these arrangements.