Ione Simons Obituary

"I'm not sick, I just have a bad heart." My mantra, even as a kindergartener and throughout my 66 years. I had a great normal life. I did everything all the "normal" people did: tap-danced, ran, skipped, biked, roller skated, danced, performed w/ the HS drill team, went to college, drank beer, became a teacher and taught grades 1-8 for 23 years, became a mom, travelled, skied for 24 years, Jazzercised, grocery shopped, did laundry and housework...Does that sound like a sickly person? - Ione Simons

Ione Marie Simons (66) died October 7, 2017 in San Diego, CA from a stroke-like event. Born 11/24/1950 to Orville Hill and Ardis Aaker in Sioux Falls, SD, she attended Lincoln Senior High and graduated from Augustana College with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught two years before marrying John Simons June 28, 1975 in Sioux Falls when they moved to Durango, CO, "our paradise". Ione worked at Burns Bank and 1st National Bank before teaching in Bayfield and then the old Mason School in Durango, CO. In 1988 the family moved to Carson City, NV where she was the Teacher of the Year in 1989. After moving back to Durango in 1991, she worked at Miller Middle School until 1998. Ione has been a volunteer at Mercy Medical Center for 15 years. She loved her 23 years of skiing at Purgatory, innumerable family vacations - especially to Hawaii - and every moment of living in Southwest Colorado. Ione is survived by her husband, John Simons, daughter Stephanie Simons and son Samuel Simons (Vanessa) both of Denver. Her father, Orville Hill (93) of Sioux Falls, SD, sister, Arlys Reitan (Ken) of Lincoln, NE; four sets of in-laws, nine nieces and nephews, and many friends. Ione was preceded in death by her mother, Ardis Aaker. Ione has been cremated and will be interred in Green Mount Cemetery. Ione had a life-long congenital heart disease; but OH, WHAT A NORMAL, FULL HAPPY LIFE!

Notification of a Celebration of Life will occur in the near future.