Joan Gertrude Simmers , 94, of Grand Forks, ND passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in the presence of loved ones. Joan Gertrude Simmers was born on October 20, 1927, the only child of Andrew and Alice Woychik in Buchanan, ND. She married Lawrence Monroe Simmers, in Jamestown, ND on  June 25, 1947, after meeting on a blind date. They were blessed with twelve children (she did not care for being an only child). Ten of Joan's and Larry's children were born in Jamestown, ND before moving to Grand Forks, ND in 1964 where the last two were born.

Being a mother of twelve, Joan was a "stay-at-home" mom, being an influential and loving caregiver. Joan supplied extra income to the family by cleaning other people's houses in the evenings or while her clients were at work. Imagine that for a moment, all the duties of raising twelve kids, THEN going out and cleaning the homes of others. What a hardworking woman. Mom was a pioneer in this industry (long before it became popular). Mom cleaned the "old fashioned" way, on her hands and knees getting the corners clean with an old toothbrush. She often had one or more of her children accompany her to help, instilling the hard work ethic in them.

Joan enjoyed family get togethers, often making sure everyone was invited to the "parties". Mom enjoyed church activities and couples bowling league with her husband and friends. With her husband, Joan "hit the road" in the Winnebago traveling to visit state parks, her children, and relatives scattered around the country. Mom looked forward to fall trips, viewings of the colorful changing of the leaves throughout Minnesota. After the passing of her husband, Joan loved traveling and camping with her "housecleaning partner" Deloris Meyer. A wonderful neighborhood friend, Fran Osowski, was Mom's "gambling buddy" on many excursions to Mahnomen, MN, Laughlin and Elko, NV, and any stops in between that they fancied.

Joan loved playing the card games of pinochle and whist. It was amazing how wonderful her card playing skills survived until the end of her 94 years. She seldom made any tactical errors and was the "favorite" playing partner sought out by visiting personalities creating formidable teams. An annual whist, wine, and strawberry shortcake tournament, in her honor, is already in the planning stages. Joan's company was sought out by all those who visited her. She did not have to "twist one's arm" to get one to join her for totties on the "perch".

Mom wanted letters written (it has been done verbally) to the neighbors, thanking them for being such good neighbors and putting up with the "Simmers clan". Mom welcomed neighborhood friends to congregate at the Simmers' household for after school snacks (the loaves of bread (peanut butter, brown sugar sandwiches) we would go through) and games (enforcing why she thought her neighbors were so wonderful). Into adulthood, some of these friends became Joan's honorary children, numbers 13 and 14, Bert and Laurie respectively.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Andrew Woychik, her loving husband, Larry Monroe, and her third child, son, Larry "Header" Simmers, and granddaughter, Ericka Lynn Simmers.

Joan is survived by sons, Dave (Judy) Peoria, AZ, Pat (Susie) Pelican Rapids, MN, Stephen (Colette) Grand Forks, ND, Tom (Betty), Stanley, ND, Bruce (Lisa) Canton, GA, John (Helen), Crystal, MN, Mike (Jayme), Grand Forks, ND, and Doug (Kari), O'Fallon, IL. Surviving daughters are Kathy, Grand Forks, ND, Karen (Lane) Lindsay, Grand Forks, ND, and Nancy (Mike), Pueblo, CO.

Joan leaves behind shoes to fill for numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mortal bodies age and succumb to their origins, legacies live on.

In lieu of flowers, please help someone in need, donate to one of your favorite charities, or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, or Ethos Home Care and Hospice, 4491 S. Washington St. Suite A, Grand Forks, ND 58201.

It was Joan's wish that her human remains be donated to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences for research and education.
Memorial Mass: 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022, in St. Michael's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Family Greeting: One hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Thursday.
Interment: At a future date, in Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.