Elta Simmons

Elta Simmons, age 75, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Litchfield, MN, passed away on May 12, 2011 at Sanford Hospice Foundation Cottage in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17 at Zion Lutheran Church, Litchfield, MN. Visitation will be at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield on Monday, May 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. and at the church for one hour prior to services. Interment will be held at Lake Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Elta Eleanora Simmons was born December 6, 1935 in Ellsworth Township, Darwin, MN to Rudolph H and Myrtle (Schmidt) Radunz. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Evangelical Church in Ellsworth Township, Darwin, MN. She attended School Districts 31 and 13, and graduated from Litchfield High School. On October 8, 1954, she and Russell Simmons were united in marriage at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN. Elta worked various jobs throughout her life, at Traveler's Inn, Nystrom's Truck Stop, Land O'Lakes, and she retired from 3M in Hutchinson. After retirement, she worked at Econofoods and in the Lake Ripley School kitchen. She was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2818 Ladies Auxiliary. After Russell's death in 1997, Elta lived in Sioux Falls, SD for three years. She returned to Sioux Falls again in 2008 to be near her family. Grateful for having shared her life are her children, James Simmons of Phoenix, AZ, Gayle Wexler and her husband Tom of Sioux Falls, SD, David Simmons and his wife Pam of Volin, SD; her grandchildren Brian Simmons and his wife Jen, Michael Gessel, Amanda Gessel, Rev. Craig Wexler and his wife Carmen, Megan Wexler and her dear friend Seth Zwak, Peter Weigel and his dear friend April Thranum; and her great-granddaughter Sydnie Simmons. Also surviving her are two brothers, Norman Radunz (Lois) of Waco, TX and Richard (Elaine) Radunz of Dassel, MN; two sisters, Lorraine Peipus of Litchfiled, MN and Marlene Roles of Crystal, MN, sister-in-law Shirley Radunz of Lemoyne, PA and several nieces and nephews. Elta was preceded in death by her husband Russell, her parents Rudolph and Myrtle Radunz, one brother Dwaine Radunz, and her granddaughter Melissa Weigel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials that will be dedicated to future hospice care at the Sanford Cottage.Previous Events Visitation Monday, May 16, 2011 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home 316 Sibley Avenue South Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Tuesday, May 17, 2011 1:00 PM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355