Carol Lynn Simon went home to the Lord on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at the age of 48 in Sioux Falls. Carol Lynn Simon was born in Faulkton, SD, on March 2, 1968, to Emil S. Simon and Ruth Wegner of Lovalton, SD. She attended school in the Ipswich Public School District and graduated from Ipswich High School in 1986.
She married Darren Otto at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Ipswich in 1988, they had three children, Aleesha, Cassandra, and Heath. Carol and Darren lived in Aberdeen, SD, for a time. Darren was deployed to serving in the Gulf War, Desert Storm, and Carol and the children lived with her parents on the family farm. Carol enrolled in the nursing program at Presentation College in Aberdeen and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in 1992. They divorced in 1994.
Carol LOVED nursing! She started her career at the Ipswich and Faulkton Hospitals and then in Sioux Falls. She joined a travelling nursing organization that took her to many communities. Tulsa, OK, and Tucumcari, NM. She took a position for a time with Centura Health in Holy Oak, CO, in 1998.
She returned to live in Ipswich and work in Aberdeen before moving to Sioux Falls. She began her lengthy career with the South Dakota Department of Corrections in 2002, and worked at the State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls until the time of her death.
Carol LOVED to learn. In March 2006, Carol attended the PSI Basic Seminar in Denver, CO. She went on to attend the Advanced Leadership Course (PSI 7 Class 443) in October of 2006 at High Valley Ranch in California and returned to the High Valley Ranch to participate in the Women’s Leadership Seminar C-95 in June 2007. She met many new friends. Carol also traveled to Denver to attend a Women of Faith Conference.
Carol LOVED her family and friends. She could always make people laugh! She met her significant other, Todd Mitzel in 2010, and he was the love of her life! Carol’s grandchildren: Ashtyn, Ella, Deacon, Zeke, and Brayden were her pride and joy. She enjoyed spoiling them and showering them with love.
Carol enjoyed working out at Pharrell’s and working with her Mary Kay associates. She was a member of the Quarry Rock Church in Dell Rapids, SD.
Carol was joined in heaven with her parents Emil J. and Ruth L. Simon, paternal grandparents Charles J. and Anna (Hamak) Simon and maternal grandparents Albert C. and Emma (Heil) Wegner, brother David Allen Simon and brother Richard Dean Simon, and her grandson Brayden.
Carol is survived by her three children Aleesha (DJ) DeKnikker, Salem, SD, Cassandra Otto, Sioux Falls, SD, and Heath Otto; four beloved grandchildren, Ashtyn, Ella, Deacon, and Zeke; eleven brothers and sisters, Mary (Ryc) Casati, Minneapolis, MN, Edward (Sue) Simon, Great Falls, MT, Jeanie (George) Zenanko, Maple Plain, MN, Roger (Julie) Simon, Congress, AZ, Deborah Simon, Phoenix, AZ, Shirley (John) Miller, Sun City West, AZ, Tony (Cindy) Simon, Ipswich, SD, Charlene (Arnie) Malsom, Thornton, CO, Tim (Jeanne) Simon, Black Hawk, SD, Denise (Chris) Chiavuzzi, Punta Gorda, FL, Ruth (Michael) Gibbons, Boise, ID; Wegner Aunts and Uncles; and many nieces, nephews, co-workers and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the family can be accepted online at this You Caring link.
Visitation with the family present will be from 3 to 5 pm with a prayer service beginning at 4:30 pm on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at the Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 South Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, November 28, 2016, at the Quarry Rock Church, 47381 246th Street, Dell Rapids, SD. Interment will be at 1 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Ipswich, SD. On-line condolences may be left at the Miller Funeral Home website.