Muriel A. Simmons, age 90, died peacefully in her sleep at the Huron Regional Medical Center on Saturday, November 26, 2016, after a short illness. Her funeral service was heldat 10:30 AM, Saturday, December 3rd at the First United Methodist Church. Burial wasin the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Muriel Aileen Tupper was born August 30, 1926, in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, a daughter of Bert and Elsie (Pereboom) Tupper. She was one of six closely knit Tupper children whom she maintained her relationship with throughout her life. Her father struggled as a farmer during the drought and depression years of the 1930's. He moved the family to a farm near Madison, South Dakota, when Muriel was in the 5th grade hoping to find more fertile farm land to provide for his family. She graduated from Orland High School in 1944. Muriel then attended Dakota State College receiving an elementary teaching certificate. She taught 5th grade for one year in Watertown, then continued her education at South Dakota State University, earning a BS in Home Economics Education. While at SDSU, she met Irvin Simmons, a young vet of WWII working on an electrical engineering degree. They both attended activities at the Wesley Center, a Methodist campus ministry for students. Muriel taught Home Economics at Tyndall, South Dakota for 2 years while Irvin completed his degree. They married August 26, 1951, in Madison, after which they moved to Huron to start their married life and family. Irvin worked as an engineer for the Bureau of Reclamation and Muriel as a stay at home mom to their four children.
As a family they took summer vacations, camping and touring the United States. Muriel and Irvin were active for many years in the Huron Camping Club spending weekends camping with the group. Muriel maintained lifelong relationships with her college friends continuing reunions for 60 years. Muriel met with her Tuesday morning coffee group thru 30 years of friendship. She was an advocate for a healthy life style spending time working out regularly at the Fitness Center and later thru cardiac rehab. Muriel is remembered for her strong work ethic and as a humble servant to others. She was a gracious hostess and delighted in preparing wonderful dinners for her family and others.
Muriel's love for the United Methodist Church was continually revealed by her various roles and involvements there. She started and taught an interdenominational Sunday school class for special needs students. Muriel served many positions in UMW, including circle chairperson, UMW president and was a recipient of the life membership pin. Her Home Economics background found her very at home in the church kitchen, preparing and serving many events. During the construction of the new Methodist Church building, her expertise was utilized as a member of the building committee to design the kitchen area. Muriel assisted with the church newsletter mailing for 30 years. She attended various Bible studies over the years.
Muriel was a 40 year member of Chapter AN of PEO serving many offices over the years. She was actively involved in the Huron Home Economics Club and judged baked goods at the South Dakota State Fair. Muriel was a member of the local ARC, bringing awareness to those with special needs. She volunteered weekly at Madison and Buchanan schools for 15 years developing a lifelong friendship with the teacher Dorothy Dubs. Muriel was a 25 year volunteer at SunQuest Healthcare Center. She cherished time with her family and took her children and grandchildren on many wonderful vacations, including trips to Bahamas, Hawaii, Alaska, New York and San Antonio.
Muriel loved sewing, handiwork, machine embroidery, quilting, card making, knitting, and shared her love of these generously with others.
Muriel was a wonderful mother to all her children, but her dearest duties of motherhood were directed toward her daughter Linda, who had Down syndrome. Muriel's never ending faithfulness to the care and best interests of Linda were her life's priority.
Muriel was preceded in death by her husband, Irvin in 1977; her son, David in 1998; two brothers; and one sister.
Survivors include her children, Barb (Chris) Stanton of Jacksonville, Florida, Mary (Scot) Hoscheid of Bettendorf, Iowa and Linda Simmons of Huron; two grandchildren, Tommy (Laura) Hoscheid of New York, New York and Betsy Hoscheid of Kirksville, Missouri; two brothers; three sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
Muriel's family would like to thank SunQuest Healthcare Center and the Huron Regional Medical Center for the exceptional care they gave to Muriel. Thank you to her very special brother and his wife, Richard and Jackie Tupper, who often included Muriel in his family trips.