Marilyn (Rush) Simmons, 85, of Gold Canyon, Arizona, passed away on December 17, 2023. She was born in Sioux Falls, SD, on February 28, 1938. Marilyn attended Sioux Falls Washington High School and the University of South Dakota where she was proud to be a sister in the Alpha Rho Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Marilyn married her high school sweetheart, Tom, in 1957 and helped put him through law school. Tom obtained his law degree in 1961. The family moved to Rapid City, SD, where he practiced law for 50 years with the law firm of Bangs, McCullen, Butler, Foye and Simmons. Marilyn focused her time and energy on raising three children and they were truly her pride and joy.
Due to her exceptional organizational skills, Marilyn was a wonderful volunteer for many activities in their church and as chairman (for 15 years) of the Arrowhead Country Club Pro Am golf tournament. Marilyn was a member of Chapter BF of PEO and served in many offices, including President of that chapter. She also loved golf and duplicate bridge.
Tom and Marilyn built their first home in AZ in 1989. They became members of Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club in 1998 and have resided there since the fall of 2000. After many years of having homes in both Rapid City and Arizona, they became full time residents of AZ in 2011.
Marilyn was known for her outgoing personality, welcoming nature and penchant for numbers – hence the nickname “numbers”. She had a knack for remembering birthdays which she kept recorded in a special little book. Marilyn had many wonderful friends and will be truly missed.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Tom, of 66 years; three children: daughter Kris Dona (Joe) of Casper, WY, son Mike Simmons (Ally) of Chandler, AZ, and son Mark Simmons (Michelle) of Timnath, CO; nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; seven great step-grandchildren; three sisters: Marlys Newcomb (Bob) of Spokane Valley, WA; Judy Monson, Spokane, WA; and Linda (Jim) Sanden, Sioux Falls, SD. She was preceded in death by sister Betty Holm and brother Bill Rush.
She would be the first to tell you she was truly blessed!
Memorials can be made to Children’s Home Society, 1330 Jolly Lane, Rapid City, SD 57703, and Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, 3405 N. Higley Road, Mesa, AZ 85215.
A Private Family Funeral Service will be held at 4 pm on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Gold Canyon. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 1 – 4 pm at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club.