Joyce Simmons' Obituary
Joyce Elaine Merritt Bassett Simmons
Joyce Elaine Merritt Bassett Simmons, was born in Parker, South Dakota, on January 3, 1922. She departed this life surrounded by loved ones, Saturday, February 20, 2010, in her home, near Hartville, Missouri, at the age of eighty-eight years, one month and seventeen days.
The second daughter of Oscar Wendell and Enola Ahrens Merritt, she attended Parker High School, where she graduated in 1940.
She met her future husband, Robert W. Bassett, at a wedding dance and they were married on May 28, 1941, in Canton, South Dakota. They later moved to Long Beach, California and worked at Douglas Aircraft. In 1945 they became parents to a daughter, Barbara Ordell, followed by another daughter, Wanda Joyce, in 1946. A son, Robert Wendell, was born in 1950.
They moved back to South Dakota in 1957 and together they owned and managed Bob’s Texaco in Humboldt, South Dakota. They divorced on March 1, 1974, after thirty-three years of marriage.
Joyce was later united in marriage to Lloyd (Bud) Simmons, and they shared thirty-two years together until his death on December 31, 2007.
She moved to Missouri to be close to her family, where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law. She was a very special lady who centered her life around her family, which included her dogs, Cassie K and Sadie, who held a beloved place in her heart. She was always willing to give a helping hand to others and over the years was a volunteer for the American Heart Association.
Entertaining guests, preparing a meal for family or friends, and making her favorite divinity candy, gave her great pleasure. In her spare time she also enjoyed playing cards and bingo, bowling, dancing, gardening, knitting and sewing.
Joyce is survived by two daughters, Barbara Ordell Hinkle, of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, Wanda Joyce Ellinger and her husband, Steve, of Norwood, Missouri; a son, Robert Wendell Bassett and his wife, Francie of Emmett, Idaho; twelve grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and numerous friends.
We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will treasure the memories she created. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed and will forever live in our hearts.
Funeral services for Joyce E. Simmons will be later in Whitter, California, with burial to follow.
A Visitation for mrs. Simmons will be monday evening Feburary 22, 6:00-8:00 pm in Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Hartville, Missouri.
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