Richard W. Simmons

MEMORIAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 21, 2013 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN VISITATION : 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 21, 2013 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home one hour prior to serviceINTERMENT :SURVIVORS : RICARD W. SIMMONS ~ Ric hard was born on December 24, 1925 in Glenwood, MN to William and Emma (Heegard) Simmons. As a small boy of the age of two, Richard moved with his family to the Park Rapids, area where he attended country school near his parent"s farm. He went on to attend high school in Crookston for 2 ½ years. As a young man of 17, Richard entered the United States Navy. He served during WWII in the South Pacific Theatre of War on the USS South Dakota. During his tour of duty, the USS South Dakota was engaged in heavy fighting in Iwa Jima, Saipan, Attinian, Guadalcanal, the Marshall Islands the Philippines and Japan. The USS South Dakota was the most highly decorated battle ship to come out of WWII being awarded 13 battle stars for sea battles in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters. The South Dakota gallantly served in the US Navy from 1942-1947 and was the lead ship of her class. The US Navy along with the State of South Dakota have established a living memorial to the ship and it"s sailors in Sioux Falls, SD where a museum tells the ships story. While a sailor, Richard earned the nick name of "rabbit" because he would crawl into the limit of spaces no one else would crawl into to fix whatever needed to be done. After his honorable discharge, Richard ventured to Alaska where he worked on a Gold Dredge for summer. In 1946, Richard moved to Iowa where he speculated in land, ran a corn shelling business, worked in building construction and worked as a Park Ranger for the Iowa Parks Commission. In 1949, Richard was united in marriage to Joyce Joan Jensen at the First Congregational Church in Peterson, Iowa. He served as trustee in the First Congregational Church, as fire chief, scout master, Adjutant of the Grasshoff-McManus American Legion Post #309 in Aurelia, Iowa, and as Executive Director of the Cherokee County Conservation Board. Richard retired to Park Rapids and built a lake home on Bad Medicine Lake. Upon retiring, Richard focused on his construction business so that he would have more time to fish, hunt and trap on his property on Bad Medicine Lake. He had the distinguished nick name of "the Mayor of Red Top Road" which ran in front of his place. Richard was a member of the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post 212 in Park Rapids. He was active in the UFFDA (United Foundation for Disabled Archers) organization. Richard loved the out of doors, especially when he could be in the woods or on his favorite fishing spot. Each spring he looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden which he would nurture into fruitful abundance to share with family and friends. He was an excellent cook and baker who will be long remembered for his delicious pumpkin pies, brownies and home made breads. Richard will be lovingly remembered by two nieces: Cherie and Janet and many friends and one brother-in-law, Don Tschudi of Park Rapids. He was preceded in death by his wife in 2005; his parents; and one sister, Carolyn Tschudi. Memorial Services will be held 11 AM Monday, October 21, 2013 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids. Urn bearers will be: Don Rooney, Ronnie Scholz, Gaylord Carlson, Dave Christianson, Bob Stulich, John Backes and Roger Tschudi and Tyson Doke. Honorary Urn Beares will be Corman Larson, Rick Knobloch, Jonie Knobloch. Interment will be made next to his wife at the Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids. A lunch will be hosted by the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Auxiliary #212. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home. To leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.