Zoann Simmons

ZoAnn Denning Simmons, our loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2015, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center of complications from a stroke. She had been surrounded by her family who love and adore her and will miss her dearly. ZoAnn was born September 1, 1932, in the Idaho Falls LDS Hospital to George and Zoie Denning. She attended Iona Grade School, Iona High School, Idaho Falls Business School, and a three-year home study art instruction school. ZoAnn met her sweetheart of 64 years, Dwayne Simmons, at school in Iona. They were married November 9, 1951, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They owned a dry farm in Dehlin, Idaho. They were blessed with four sons and one daughter: Hal, Blair, Brad, Jerry, and Diane. They have 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, with two more on the way. ZoAnn led a life of continual service to family, church, and community. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served willingly in many callings. She served in the mutual for 27 years, in several Relief Society Presidencies, both ward and stake, as a Sunday School teacher, visiting teacher, and as a temple worker. She loved writing and compiling history books. She compiled a history book for the Iona 1st Ward Relief Society. She helped compile a poetry book called “Choice Gems” for the building fund project of the Iona LDS Denning building. She was the chairman of the City of Iona Centennial History book. She did this work in the basement of her home. She spent eight years compiling a 2,200 page family history book of her grandparent’s posterity. She was a member of the Bonneville Art Association. She loved to draw, paint, and teach children’s art classes. She loved to paint both oil and watercolor. She was a very talented artist. She helped renovate the old rock building, known as the Stanger Memorial in Iona that is used as an art gallery for the association. She enjoyed being on the planning committee for Iona Days, planning melodramas, meals, and many activities for her beloved community where she lived her entire life. She was a member of the Bonneville County Cowbells, serving as president for a time. When she began having health problems, she was working hard to restore the historic Bingham Stake Tithing House in Iona to create a museum for the community of Iona’s history, plus a location for The Daughter’s of the Utah Pioneers. She loved to fish and go trailoring with friends. She and Dwayne loved to square dance. Together they loved attending all of their children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities and games. She built strong family traditions, cooked delicious food, and taught her family the gospel of Jesus Christ. ZoAnn is survived by her sweetheart of 64 years, Dwayne Simmons of Iona, ID; son, Hal (Cheryl) Simmons of Ammon, ID; son, Blair (Penny) Simmons of Iona, ID; son, Brad Simmons of Iona, ID; son, Jerry (Debbie) Simmons of Iona, ID; daughter, Diane Simmons Craig of Iona, ID; 15 grandchildren, Katherine, Cheri, Justin, Cory, Brian, Whitney, Scott, Jeremy, Shayla, Jacob, Chad, Shannon, Jason, Brandon, and Tyson; 17 great grandchildren, Taylor, Tanner, Tate, Clay, Conlan, Halli, Zoie, Avrie, Shane, Rayce, Morgyn, Ryker, Serity, Eliza, Gideon, Carter, Bodee; brother, Richard “Dick” (LeeAnn) Denning of Lehi, UT; sister, MaryEtte (Spencer) Lott of Ammon, ID. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Zoie Denning; five siblings, LaMae Denning, Telford “Ted” Denning, John “Jack” Denning, Gem Winder, and William “Bill” Denning. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2015, at the Iona LDS 1st Ward, 5169 East Denning Avenue, with Bishop Randy Smith officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery. &nbsp Born: September 1, 1932&nbsp Place of Birth: Idaho Falls, ID&nbsp Death: November 7, 2015&nbsp Place of Death: Idaho Falls, ID&nbsp Occupation: Homemaker&nbsp Hobbies: Painting, Fishing, Trailoring, Square Dancing

Funeral Services will be held

Saturday November 14, 2015 , 11 a.m. at Iona LDS First Ward The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery. Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.