Patty Simon, 76, Watertown, died, Friday, May 31, 2024 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Patricia Ann Simon, daughter of Gertrude (Duenwald) and Frank Arbach, was born in Hoven on June 2, 1947. She was brought up on the family farm northwest of Hoven.  Her formal education consisted of St. Anthony’s Parochial School, Hoven High School (Class of 1965), and Aberdeen School of Commerce (1966).

Patty married Cliff Simon in Hoven on September 17, 1966. Patty was employed by the Bank of Hoven from 1966-67 and 1969-70.  The couple relocated to Pierre where she was employed by the South Dakota Division of Banking and Finance from 1967-69.  After returning to Hoven in 1969, she worked as the bookkeeper for the Hoven Common School District from 1973-76.  From 1973-2003 Patty was employed as clerk and then as officer-in-charge of the Hoven Post Office.

In 1975, the family of five moved to Cliff’s parents’ farm SE of Hoven.  They farmed for 36 years, retiring in 2011. The couple’s last move was to Watertown in October 2020. Patty was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, St. Anthony’s Altar Society, National Catholic Society of Foresters, Holy Infant Hospital Auxiliary, and HHS Music Mothers.  Upon moving to Watertown, she became a member of Holy Name Parish.

Patty will be remembered as a kind, caring soul. She was a woman of faith who valued family and friends. Patty was an avid gardener, amateur photographer of nature, wildlife, and outdoor scenery – several of her photos were chosen for publication in various magazines. She liked playing cards and putting together puzzles. She and Cliff loved taking road trips to see family and enjoyed the adventures of camping. She was a nature lover and outdoor girl. She was also an awesome baker, and a family favorite was her delicious pumpkin bars.

Patty is survived by her sons Terry (Kim) Simon of Aberdeen; Scott (Melissa Van Gilder) Simon of Watertown, and her daughter Michelle (Allen) Geist of Papillion, NE; two sisters, Janet Krier of Albany, OR and Ev (Larry) Carlson of Sioux Falls; grandchildren:  Rebecca Simon, Aberdeen; Halley (Henry) Mitchell, Jacksonville, FL;  Kylie Geist, Flagstaff, AZ, Derek Geist, Papillion, NE;  Jack Lee, Gunner Van Gilder, and Jett Van Gilder, Watertown.

She was preceded in death by her husband Cliff (May 30, 2022), parents Frank (June 7, 1996), Gert (December 19, 2006), and her two brothers, Harlan Arbach (February 27, 1970) and Denis Arbach (March 19, 2015).

The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Friday, June 7, 2024 at St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Hoven, with Father J.  Joseph Holzhauser, Celebrant. Interment follows at the Church Cemetery. Visitation commences 5:00 pm on Thursday at the church with a 7:00 pm wake service. The family proposes optional apparel in the color of yellow, her favorite color, to celebrate the sunshine and joy she brought to the world.

Offertory gift bearers will be Rebecca Simon, Halley Mitchell, and Kylie Geist;  Placing of the pall on her casket will be grandsons, Derek Geist, Jack Lee, Gunner Van Gilder, and Jett Van Gilder. Her grandchildren, that will include Henry Mitchell and Harrison Brown, will also be casket bearers. Musicians will be St. Anthony’s Church Choir, Rhonda Strouckel, Margaret Bobby, and Vonnie Reuer; Eucharistic Minister will be Kurt Rausch and Lector will be Nicole Thies; Mass Servers will be Alec Griese and DaShawn Rausch.

In remembrance of Patty’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to either the Avera Foundation at averafoundation-events.org/donate or to St Anthony’s Catholic Church, 546 Main Street, PO Box 98, Hoven, SD 57450.

Services are in care of Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle

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