Donna Simon

Donna Faye Simon, 86, joyfully met her Savior on Monday, May 5, 2014. She passed to heaven from Borah Peak Assisted Living Center in Idaho Falls. She was under the care of Hands of Hope Home Health and Hospice. She was born January 3, 1928 in Menan, Idaho, to Robert Leon Hawker and Ema Madora Gardner Hawker. She married Herman Simon on June 6, 1945 in Idaho Falls. Together they raised dairy cattle and farmed near Iona. Donna and Herman reared eight children, who greatly benefitted from their parents' faith, values, integrity, and work ethic. From sunrise to sundown, Donna attended to her children, managed her home, prepared three square meals a day, gardened, canned, baked, and handled hundreds of other chores typical of farm life. Even in the most difficult of times, she maintained her sense of humor and created a home filled with love and laughter. After Herman's death on April 16, 1988, Donna worked for the Bonneville School District serving lunch to students. She was known among her coworkers and the children for her kindness and generosity and, of course, her quick wit. After retiring in 1999, Donna became a huge fan of the Utah Jazz and never missed a televised game. In fact, she could recite all the players' names, knew the team's win/loss record, and also tracked pro-basketball statistics that even her sons and grandsons didn't know. Most importantly, Donna loved Jesus and was a long-time member of St. John Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls. She is survived by her brother, Robert Hawker of Florida and her sister, Janice Todd of Idaho Falls; three sons, James (Rhenda) Simon of Idaho Falls, Rick (Teri) Simon of Kingman, AZ, and Tim (Kristy) Simon of Salt Lake City, UT; five daughters, Gloria McKinney and Anita (John) Taylor both of Idaho Falls, Marsha Simon and Pat (Lynn) Peterson both of Boise, ID, Melanie (Dell) Burton of Benton City, WA; and 14 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and four sisters, Geneva Russell, Phyllis Robb, Arlene Drake, and Hazel LaRue Ottens. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 290 7th Street in Idaho Falls. The family will meet friends for one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church benevolent fund. The family would like to thank Dr. Wallace Baker, Dr. Jason Dalling, Hands of Hope Home Health and Hospice. A special thanks to the staff of Borah Peak for their special loving care.