Betty J Simonsen

Betty J. Simonsen, age 96 of Exira, IA, died on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Cass Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, IA. She was born on April 3, 1928, in rural Exira the daughter of Julius and Ceclia (Thielen) Wolf and was baptized at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira. She attended country school through 8th grade and went to Exira High School and graduating in class of 1946.

Betty took normal training to become a teacher. She taught at a country school in Greely Township, and later Hamlin Township in Audubon County. Later, she would return to Exira and work at Pete Stone’s Grocery, Corl’s Hardware and Audubon County ASCS office in Audubon where she worked for over 20 years. On January 7, 1948, Betty was united in marriage to Carl A. Simonsen by Fr. Costello in Council Bluffs, IA. Their witnesses to this marriage were Uncle Phylip Wolf and Aunt Virginia Williams. Betty was an active member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Parish all her life. She taught Catechism and bible school for many years and was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society, where she held many offices, including being a Eucharistic Minister and serving communion at the Exira Care Center. After she retired, Betty and Carl enjoyed traveling to Texas in the winter with friends. After Carl’s passing, Betty enjoyed traveling to Florida to spend the winter months with her dear friend and classmate, Mona (Sorensen) Worthington.

Betty was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 72 years. She had a great love for playing cards, she played in several different bridge clubs through the years as well as joining the Six Pack group. Betty sold her home in 2023 and moved to MJ Estates and lived there for over 2 years.

She was preceded in death by, her parents, her husband, Carl; a son, Craig and daughter-in-law, Sue; great grandson, Alex Henry Christensen; brothers, Phylip, James, Charles and Dave Wolfe; her sisters, Rosemary and Harriet; sisters-in-law, Ardis and Dorothy Wolf.

Betty J is survived by, her daughter, Julie (Paul) Christensen of Brayton; grandsons, Scott (Kristi) Simonsen of Sheldon, IA, Justin (Jill) Christensen of Rock Rapids, IA and Jeremy (Amanda) Christensen of Des Moines, IA; great grandchildren, Mikayla and Keely Simonsen, Korryn, Samuel, Henry, Sophia Christensen; step-grandsons, Landon and Carter Smith; sisters-in-laws, Jane and Wand Wolf of Atlantic, IA, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, IA. Visitation with the family will be held an hour before the funeral mass at the church from 9:30 am till 10:30 am. Burial will follow at the Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Exira.

Luncheon will be served at the Parish Hall following the committal service. Memorials can be made in her name, and the family will designate at a later date.

The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Exira is caring for the Simonsen family at this time and condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfh.com